In a strategic move ahead of Tobago’s January 12 House of Assembly elections, opposition leader Ancil Dennis has unveiled an ambitious employment manifesto targeting the island’s chronic unemployment crisis. The People’s National Movement (PNM) Tobago Council leader committed to generating 7,000 new jobs within four years if returned to power, addressing what he termed “deliberate economic neglect” by the current administration.
Speaking at a December 11 rally in Roxborough/Argyle, Dennis—a former chief secretary—launched a scathing critique against the Tobago People’s Partnership (TPP) government, accusing them of diverting over $300 million in development funds to Trinidad-based contractors. He specifically referenced a stalled $30 million road project on Lammy Road awarded to an off-island contractor as emblematic of this problematic pattern.
The opposition leader announced a transformative procurement policy mandating that all Tobago House of Assembly contracts must优先授予本地承包商 possessing relevant capabilities. “No contractor from outside Tobago should be building roads here when we have qualified local firms that can employ community members,” Dennis asserted, framing this approach as both economic justice and practical development strategy.
Dennis projected that this localization initiative would immediately restore 2,000 jobs while creating thousands more through targeted investments in construction, tourism, and agricultural sectors. His rhetoric emphasized economic sovereignty, repeatedly promising to return “Tobago people’s money to Tobagonians’ pockets.
Simultaneously, PNM candidate Shonae John outlined her vision for transforming Roxborough/Argyle’s economic landscape. She proposed developing Argyle Waterfall into a comprehensive tourist destination while establishing integrated agricultural-tourism linkages. Her innovative “farm-to-table food hub” concept would connect Lammy Road farmers directly with tourists and culinary facilities, creating an experiential tourism circuit complete with trained guides, lifeguards, and retail opportunities.
The electoral battle lines are now clearly drawn, with the PNM advocating economic localization against the TPP’s development approach. Current area representative Watson Duke’s Progressive Democratic Party has withdrawn from the race to support the ruling TPP, whose candidate Orlando Kirk will directly challenge John’s bid to unseat the incumbent administration.