Tomorrow, her political party–the Movement for Transformation (MFT) will contest three seats in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election.
In our wrap-up featuring the political leaders, Eudine Job-Davis said if elected, her role is to inspire the Tobagonians to become productive citizens in every aspect of development.
What are three of the main challenges facing Tobago/Tobagonians?
Leadership. There is a 'crisis of confidence' in the political leadership. From discussions with our people, a major part of the problem derives from unfulfilled promises and thwarted expectations, that chasm between what is promised and what is actually done. The all-encompassing cry is 'anybody but the PNM!' Problematic leadership in Tobago has resulted in severe underachievement of developmental goals, and despite the authority vested in the Tobago House of Assembly by Act 40 of 1996, the blame game continued to be played.
Accountability and transparency. The Tobago House of Assembly has been plagued with allegations of corruption. With allocations of more than $30 billion dollars over the past 16 years, the expected development in the various sectors of Tobago's economy has not been commensurate with the allocations received and expended.
Apathetic electorate. The result of the leadership crisis and the lack of accountability and transparency is an electorate that has resigned itself to, 'who can we trust; who should we vote for?' The greatest challenge for the MFT is to shake Tobagonians out of their state of political inertia and to convince the electorate that with the MFT it will not be business as usual, to convince them that they have a say in determining their destiny, and in order to transform their space and change their circumstances, we collectively need to change the way we think.
What will you do to develop Tobago and improve its contribution to national GDP?
If elected to the THA and eventually to the position of Chief Secretary, my role is to inspire the people of Tobago to become productive citizens in every aspect of our development, and lead by example to achieve our goals. The revenue from our productive sectors will improve Tobago's GDP, and will therefore be utilised to deliver the social services that are necessary for the people of Tobago.
In addition to the revenue to be derived from exploiting our hydrocarbon and energy sources, highlights of the growth sectors are:
Mining and quarrying. The Studley Park Quarry is one of several assets bestowed on the people of Tobago. Productivity has been stymied by a lack of effective and efficient management and this will be resolved. Export of the material will be an agenda priority.
Tourism. Job creation and the generation of foreign exchange will be the principal goals. Our natural and historical assets will be monetised and Tobagonians will be incentivised and encouraged to become owners and employers in a range of hard and soft infrastructural and other services needed to support the sector.
Health. Scarborough Hospital will be reconfigured to become a teaching hospital, with emphasis on research and wellness. A strategic alliance will be established with a credible and creditable institution to provide management services and training to provide a world-class facility. A Tobago International Wellness Centre is proposed for the L'Anse Fourmi/Bloody Bay.
Education. A community college will be constructed to create a smooth transition from high school through to the University of Tobago. Emphasis will be placed on honing the creative and innovative capacity of our people to become entrepreneurs. Since, among our myriad strengths, our exchange rate is favourable, we intend to attract students to from, inter alia, the Caribbean as well as Latin America and North America.
What is top of the agenda for Eudine Job-Davis, if elected?
My agenda will be the people's agenda. Since the MFT is contesting three seats, there are two possibilities: being elected to the Opposition or being elected and partnering with other elected members to govern.
Opposition. My objective is to provide strong and effective representation for our people. This means that we will be easily accessible to assist our employers (the people of Tobago) in every way possible–from providing information to inspiring them to achieve full potential. Further, the issues affecting any and all electoral districts in Tobago would be thoroughly ventilated, while providing probable solutions to those who are elected to govern.
Partnering to govern. I am prepared to work with other elected members in the interest of the people of Tobago. My primary concern is Tobago's development, and being the only political leader in this THA election with years of political experience from working in Tobago, Trinidad and the Commonwealth, and given my exponential experience in the public service, I will be able to assist any administration to effectively and efficiently manage Tobago's resources to the benefit of our island and its residents.