Sturge, Roberts go before UNC screening team

Senior Reporter

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As the United National Congress seeks to select its strongest team to contest the upcoming General Election, both a former and current senator were among those offering themselves before the party’s screening committee yesterday at the party’s headquarters in Chaguanas.

Wayne Sturge, who was axed from the Opposition senate bench in 2017, was among nine nominees interrogated by the party’s screening committee for the Toco/Sangre Grande seat.

Sturge, Daniel Solomon and Rodger Samuel were replaced then by Saddam Hosein, Anita Haynes and Taharqa Obika in what Persad-Bissessar said was a move to include youth in the country’s democratic process.

After screening yesterday, however, Sturge left the compound, avoiding interviews with the media.

Meanwhile, entrepreneurs Neil Gosine, Dominic Smith, Devesh Maharaj and opposition senator Anil Roberts were screened for the St Joseph constituency.

Speaking with the media after he was evaluated, Roberts said a collaborative effort was needed as the general elections loom.

“The UNC across Trinidad is going to demolish the PNM and we are going to return Persad-Bissessar to the position that she deserves because her polices were there for the people.”

Marabella West councillor John Michael Alibocus was the sole nominee to be reviewed for San Fernando East. He told the media he was ready to hit the campaign trail and serve with “love”.

The UNC has so far chosen two incumbents in Saddam Hosein (Barataria/San Juan) and Vandana Mohit (Chaguanas East), while former school principal Dr Michael Dowlath was chosen for the marginal San Fernando West seat.