With the Progressive Democratic Patriots now in control of the Tobago House of Assembly which had previously been under the People’s National Movement for the past 21 years, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar is calling for an audit to be conducted in the spirit of transparency and accountability. 

“The recent Tobago House of Assembly elections was a political earthquake that has sent shockwaves right across Trinidad and Tobago. The people of Tobago have spoken clearly and forcefully, rejecting the abysmally poor manner in which the PNM has conducted the affairs of Tobago,” Bissessar said.

“Those who have mismanaged the THA to the detriment of the people of Tobago must be held to account…tens of Billions of dollars of taxpayer monies claimed to be spent by the PNM in Tobago needs to be accounted for. The outgoing PNM regime needs to be held to account,” she alleged.

On Friday, during his first media conference as Chief Secretary, the PDP’s Farley Augustine said his hope is to shift the political culture in Tobago, vowing to focus on efficiency instead of party allegiance. 

Following Monday’s 14-1 defeat to the PDP, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley and Political Leader of the People’s National Movement gave an assurance that central government will continue to seek the development of Tobago. 

“The PNM and the Central Government will continue to respect the wishes of the people of Tobago and will do all that is within its capacity and responsibility to ensure that Tobago progresses within the administration of Trinidad and Tobago as required by the existing laws and our common pursuit of national development,” Dr. Rowley said.