PNM holds its hand on Lopinot/Bon Air West nominees

ALICIA HOSPEDALES, former Arouca/Maloney MP and minister of state in the ministry of social development in the last Patrick Manning administration, was among five nominees for the Lopinot/Bon Air West seat who were put on hold by the PNM screening committee on Tuesday. PNM general secretary Foster Cummings on Wednesday told Newsday that the screening committee had asked the Lopinot/ Bon Air West PNM constituency executive to “widen the search” for nominees.

Planning Minister Cherrie Ann Crichlow-Cockburn is not seeking re-nomination for the seat which, in 2010, was won by the PP’s Dr Lincoln Douglas.

Also screened for the seat were St Augustine former PNM candidate Alisha Romano, Lopinot/Bon Air West constituency chairman and Society of St Vincent de Paul former president Rudolph Boneo, Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation former councillor Tova Lin Sandy, and Lopinot/Bon Air West constituency secretary Carver Richardson.

Retired brigadier general Ancil Antoine was chosen as the PNM prospective candidate for the D’Abadie/O’Meara seat which he won in 2015, Cummings said.

Antoine, former public utilities minister, edged out Averline Scott.

Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly was re-nominated for St Ann’s East, beating several challengers.

Cummings said the screening committee chose Sharon Baboolal as PNM candidate for Princes Town. Lea Aneela Ramoutar was chosen for Oropouche West.

He said he was selected as PNM candidate for La Horquetta/Talparo, reportedly as sole nominee for the seat now held by Maxie Cuffie who is bowing out.

In a statement, the La Horquetta/Talparo constituency executive hailed Cummings’ "portfolio of accomplishments and selfless service" to constituents. They said he was one of the hardest working members of the Government, as a government senator and the parliament secretary for the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development

Social Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis was re-selected for her Arouca/Maloney seat, said a congratulatory statement by her constituency executive on Wednesday.