Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday vowed to never to stop laptop distributions to students if she is returned to office. She also pledged to make Tobago a duty free haven to boss the tourism industry there.Speaking at a People's Partnership meeting at Massy Stores carpark in St Augustine, Persad-Bissessar disclosed that in her five years of governance, 95,000 laptops had been given out. She also revealed two other initiatives where students will benefit.
"I will give a computer to every first-year university student and also, on a phased basis, to give Tablets/iPads to children in the primary schools. They must be equipped in today's digital world," Persad-Bissessar said.She said the laptop distribution had been successful so far, as only one had been reported stolen, adding, "We were able to get it back within one day's time due to the technology installed in the laptops."
Persad-Bissessar also announced that her Government would make Tobago a duty free country if returned to office."This will attract tourists and bring in revenue from tourism. We will also build a mariner in Tobago, which will also bring in revenue through tourism," she said.The PM also sought to bring relief to squatters in the St Augustine South area.
Echoing the words of St Augustine candidate Prakash Ramadhar, who spoke earlier, Persad-Bissessar said that by the end of this week people will be given their title deeds.She said title deeds have already been given out to the people of Tobago and assured that the exercise would continue.
In his speech earlier, St Joseph candidate Vasant Bharath said the People's Partnership Government had halted growth decline and further disclosed that 11,000 new businesses had started in the last five years, with about 56,000 jobs being created.He also said foreign investment had increased about five times, from US$500,000 to US$2.5 billion.
