Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Randall Mitchell has quickly dismissed questions that he’s not the ideal candidate for the La Brea constituency.
After getting the nod to contest the seat for the People’s National Movement on Thursday evening, Mr Mitchell assured that he will properly represent the people in the area if elected.
Welcome to La Brea” were the words echoed by a People’s National Movement supporter to Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Randall Mitchell, who successfully got the nod from the PNM’s screening committee to contest the La Brea seat in the upcoming General Election.
Mr Mitchell was a nominee for the La Brea Constituency, along with Chairman of the La Brea Constituency Executive, Jermel Pierre.
But Minister Mitchell got the push ahead of Mr Pierre, describing the screening process as a ‘rigorous and thorough’ one.
And he quickly dismissed questions that he was not ‘born and bred’ in La Brea, noting that he has connections to the constituency, and can properly represent the people in the area.
“There may be persons whose needs have been unsatisfied. I mean, I come to the people, I open up, they welcomed me with open arms or I asked that they welcomed me with open arms. This is not about a representative and all of the burden does not go simply on the representative. The representative must work with the communities.”
He said he already has plans to rejuvenate the constituency, noting the issue of the extension of the highway to Pt Fortin bypassing the town.
And he said if elected, he will continue the work of current MP Stephen Mc Clashie in improving the water supply in the area.
“They just launched a water project down in the constituency where constituents are now getting water 7 days per week. So a lot of work has been done and the Ministry of Public Utilities continue to do that work and I hope to be elected in the coming elections and I will continue that work.”
Jermel Pierre who also faced the screening committee for the La Brea constituency said as Chairman of the La Brea Executive, his commitment to regaining the seat for the party is utmost in his mind.
“It has not been an easy journey here. Because sometimes you know how these things go, and it’s unfortunate that the voices of you know I think people will cry, you know, for didn’t get that that decision. But I believe that in the wisdom of the screening committee they made the choice and I continue to congratulate Minister Mitchell.”
Meanwhile, engineer Christian Birchwood got the nod over four other people vying for the Laventille East/Morvant Constituency.
“I am here. I am here to serve. I am a servant of the people and we look forward to helping you. I look forward to helping you. The constituency, the Executives Women’s League, everybody looks forward to helping you.”
The PNM has now successfully screened 34 prospective candidates for the 2025 General Election.