00:00Political leader of the Tobago arm of the PNM, Shamfa Kujo-Lewis, says the budget fails to present a convincing
00:08vision for Tobago's economic future, arguing that more must be done to secure long-term growth and the stability of
00:16the island.
00:16I think Tobago nyans are waiting on results and this prosperity that the Secretary speaks about cannot be seen and
00:25felt. You don't have measurable outcomes in people's lives and I think that's what the challenge is. So it's not
00:33about, for us it's not about the figure really, it's not even about the plan, but in the Assembly's failure
00:41to deliver on these promises and plans over the years.
00:44She tells the Morning Edition, greater emphasis must be placed on tourism development and private sector investment, insisting these are
00:54critical pillars for sustainable development and job creation in Tobago. Kujo-Lewis also addresses past criticism of the PNM's role
01:03in Tobago's development, pointing to what she describes as silence over the THA being short-changed in last year's media
01:12budget.
01:12We were short-changed last year by $100 million. If you do the mathematics, it would be by about $94
01:20million. So now, Marlon, I don't hear the Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary trying to take the UNC government
01:29to be courts for a clear non-compliance with Act 40 of 1996.
01:37You understand what I'm saying? So if we are about standing up for the rights of Tobago and Zambi, speaking
01:44about Act 40 of 1996, then what good for the goose had to be good for the gander?
01:49She also responded to remarks by the Prime Minister a few months back, linking the PNM to gang activity.
01:57The Prime Minister continues to make all these allegations under the cover of the Parliament, and that is irresponsible.
02:07That is irresponsible and disappointing.
02:11And it is unfortunate that the country is in this state as it relates to that specific matter.
02:16And many other matters that she's raising in Parliament that seem to have no base.
02:21If there is some sort of legal investigation or criminal investigation of any sort that needs to be done, then
02:28let the law enforcement authorities do their work.
02:32Nicole M. Romany, TV6 News.
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