La Horquetta Talparo MP, Maxie Cuffie has bowed out of politics. Cuffie, who also holds the position as Minister of Public Administration says that although he has written confirmation from both local and international medical experts that he can withstand the rigours of an election, he has chosen not to accept any nomination to contest the seat. This is his full statement that was posted to his Facebook Page: “My dear Constituents, as the incumbent Member of Parliament for La Horquetta/Talparo, I wish to inform you that, after prayerful consideration and discussion with my family, I have decided not to accept any nomination to contest the upcoming General Elections as a PNM candidate for the constituency. I do not wish to have my past health issues become a distraction from the critical issues the country will be facing during the election campaign. This is despite my getting written confirmation letters from both local and international medical experts attesting to the fact that I have made a complete recovery from the medical issues which affected me in September 2017, to the effect that I can withstand the rigours of an election campaign and those issues are not expected to affect me in the future. For this, I remain grateful to God. I give the assurance that I will wholeheartedly support the PNM’s re-election campaign to ensure the preservation of good governance to the Constituency and the country. Rest assured too, that consistent with my oath of office, I will continue to work towards the completion of all projects aimed at enhancing your lives for the remainder of my term in office. I appreciate the tremendous love and support given by all, the Constituency Executive, Staff, Party Groups and all my beloved constituents over the last four and a half years. It continues to be a great honour and pleasure to represent and raise the profile of the Constituency of La Horquetta/Talparo and I remain pleased at the significant strides we have made in enhancing infrastructure, home improvement and the creation of employment opportunities across the constituency, which include but are not limited to: the opening of the bridge to Manuel Congo the enhancement of the Talparo Bridge the Mundo Nuevo landslip Reclamation Project `the Todds Station Road landslip Reclamation Project the stabilization of the bridge at Savary Road Extension, Las Lomas the completion of bridge works along Mamoral Road bringing ICT infrastructure to Todds Road, Caparo and surrounding areas for the first time the building and opening of the Community Centre in Las Lomas and the refurbishment of the Centre in Todd’s Road the revitalization of Cross Crescent Park, Phase 4, La Horquetta the upgrade works on Phases 5 and 6 Recreation Grounds, La Horquetta the completion of the flood mitigation exercise in Greenvale Park bringing adequate lighting to the San Raphael, Todds Road & Brazil Recreation Grounds securing land tenure for constituents at Wallerfield Gardens and other areas of the constituency improving water infrastructure in Tamana and Talparo ensuring the erection of adequate street-lighting throughout the constituency facilitating the Home Village Improvement Programme for homeowners and residents in the constituency the championing of the opening of the Tamana In-Teck Park, which provided employment for my constituents As I will continue to pursue the completion of my PhD studies upon the expiration of my term, please feel comforted that I will always remain available to the constituency which I have been representing proudly and continue to do so. May God continue to bless you and all the people of Trinidad and Tobago. With kind regards, Maxie Cuffie, MP