Camille Mceachnie
Sport and Youth Affairs Minister Shamfa Cudjoe came out swinging at Tobago’s economy “naysayers” in her address at the People’s National Movement National’s (PNM) Convention at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex in Tobago yesterday.
Speaking to a packed audience of party faithful, most of whom had journeyed from Trinidad for the political party’s second convention in Tobago in 48 years, the Tobago West MP warned that “there are persons who do not want to contribute to the advancement of Tobago’s economy.”
“I am therefore baffled by the naysayers who say they love Tobago but . . . don’t want anything good for Tobago.”
Speaking specifically about the people who oppose the Sandals Resorts project, Cudjoe said she was “in disgust” when she heard an MP describe Tobago as being “too small to manage anything or even have a desire for a development of this magnitude.”
She said the parliamentarian’s contribution echoed how islanders were treated under the People’s Partnership government.
“Four years of their leadership, the airport at Crown Point—the Arthur NR Robinson Airport—was cordoned off. We believed that work was taking place there. They came and demitted office and not a hammer was lifted not a brick was laid,” she said.
Lauding the value of Sandal’s to Tobago’s economy, she said it is a game -changer.
“The Sandals project will change the game for tourism in Tobago... This project will bring airlift, marketing, foreign investment and jobs to Tobago., an activity that we so greatly need,” she said.
Cudjoe said the dream of a brand name resort on the island began more than ten years ago.
“ I remember returning home in 2008 and former Chief Secretary Orville London . . . was interviewed . . . about the state of development of tourism in Tobago. Back then, he hoped that Tobago would attract a reputable brand like Sandals and here we are ten years later at the cusp of making this dream reality.”
She said it took the PNM led by Dr Keith Rowley to bring the dream to fruition.
Of other projects planned for the nation, the Youth Minister said the PNM will review the scholarship fund, build at least five Early Childhood learning centres and initiate programmes focusing on leadership skills and personal development for young people.
She also said Government will expand other youth-focused programmes, including the Youth Training and Employment Partnership (YTEPP), Metal Industrial Companies( MIC) and Youth Energized for Success (YES).