Voters are closely examining the plans put forward by the three political parties contesting the January 12th Tobago House of Assembly elections. The Tobago People’s Party has unveiled its Blueprint.
The Tobago People’s Party is seeking another term at the helm of the Tobago House of Assembly and has unveiled what it calls a Blueprint for 2026 and beyond. At the top of the agenda is the pursuit of constitutional autonomy.
“So what we are proposing is give us just the constitutional change by the end of this year 2026 and then allow us on the back end to engage Tobagonians in how the Assembly should actually work and we set a timeline by the end of the following year 2027 to get that done.”
Several major development projects were also outlined. These include the creation of transit hubs in Mason Hall and Roxborough, the long-promised marina development in Cove, and cruise ship expansions in Charlotteville and Plymouth.
“We are now prepared over this calendar year before the next cruise ship season that will start in October of this year to provide accommodation for Customs, Immigration and Port Health closer to the Bay front down at Charlotteville. We will make provisions for cruise ships at Plymouth and I mentioned it that we already secured the lands surrounding the jetty in Plymouth.”
The party also proposes improvements to operations at both the new airport terminal and the existing facility which their Political Leader describes as ambitious.
In the area of education, the TPP says tertiary-level delivery will be strengthened. Plans include the establishment of a University of Tobago and upgrades to the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Institute.
“The partnering of THTI with international institutions and the introduction of courses beyond culinary arts and hospitality management to include areas in the orange economy, areas in biodiversity and the marine space.”
Job creation has been a central issue throughout the campaign, and the TPP pledges to create more than 8,000 new jobs. The party also promises to extend THA contract periods from three to five years and implement salary increases.
“By 2027 no THA working in the THA must be making less than $5,500 per month. That means that the people I love in CEPEP and URP you can see a salary increase again by this TPP administration. An increase without any prompt from Central Government.”
The TPP says the Blueprint was developed through collaboration with Tobagonians and is calling on residents to hold the party accountable.