People's National Movement (PNM) General Election candidate for Tobago West Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis is accusing the current Tobago House of Assembly (THA) under Farley Augustine of squandering billions and failing to deliver jobs and support to Tobagonians.
Speaking at a PNM meeting in Plymouth on Monday night, she said the THA administration had control of Tobago’s development funds but had failed to use them properly.
“What did you do with that $10 billion,” she asked.
“As you continue to distribute Tobago people's state land to your family and your friends, where is our money for all development?”
She claimed while thousands of young people still struggle to find jobs, those in charge wasted the opportunity they were given.
“You have a TPP candidate who is already a part of the Tobago House of Assembly, who is already responsible for serving you, delivering to you, giving you jobs,” she said.
“So if you didn’t give me meaningful employment in 2022, 2023 and 2024, what are you going to do differently now?”
Cudjoe-Lewis said promises of business grants and home support are hollow because the THA already had the power to provide them — and didn’t.
“You said you’ll help people build their houses with URP and so on, but it’s only you and your members and your bloggers whose house is being built by URP,” she told the crowd.
She also slammed what she called the “10 on, 10 off” job system.
“That could have been jobs for all young people, not 10 on, 10 off that you tell them, because they thought the election was in August,” she said.
She also dared her political opponents to tell voters who they are backing to lead the country.
“I can say clearly that Stuart Richard Young is the PNM candidate for prime minister,” she said.
“And I want you to turn and ask those in blue doors, in green and black, who are you supporting for prime minister.”
Cudjoe-Lewis said the time has come to stand up against what she calls mismanagement and betrayal.
“So Tobagonians, I want you to stand up and be counted,” she said.
“Do not be afraid. Do not be ashamed to say that you are standing with the PNM, still in defence of Tobago, still in defence of decency and order in the conduct of State affairs.”