PNM Tobago political leader Ancil Dennis says Tobago has “aged” under the current administration, claiming the island deteriorated so badly that it now looks “69” instead of “29.”
Speaking in Charlottesville, Dennis said the past four years have taken a visible toll on the island.
“Tobago used to be under the PNM a beautiful 25-year-old in her prime. Four years later you might say, well, she should look 29. Tobago looks 69. And that is the truth.”
Dennis said the decline is obvious from roads to public spaces.
“I couldn’t help but notice the poor state of the island — the roads, the roadsides, the public spaces, no maintenance, no love, no care given to this island that we claim to love.”
He said Charlottesville saw some of the worst neglect.
“This electoral district has the worst roads in Tobago. Your fishermen has been abandoned. Four years has passed and you have not seen any progress.”
He listed several stalled or abandoned projects, including the community centre, the pavilions, the mini mall and the long-awaited fix for the dangerous Two-Pin Bend.
“The money that was set aside to fix Turpin Bend… was used to do other things in other parts of the island to benefit other people,” he said.
Dennis said a PNM administration will “change the face of Tobago,” starting with roads, beautification and infrastructure.
“With good road maintenance you can have a situation where potholes can be fixed within a few days,” he said.
He described a future where Charlottesville has proper landscaping, murals, upgraded spaces, a safer Turpin Bend and a scenic boardwalk running along the seafront.
He told residents they should enjoy these improvements as much as tourists:
“You shouldn’t have to wait until you jump on a plane and go to somewhere in Florida… to see nice properly maintained sidewalks with nice intricate landscaping. That should be Tobago on a normal day.”
Dennis said tourism, agriculture and construction will drive jobs.
“We have to create more jobs… and there are no better sectors to do that.”
