Skippings wants another shot to win over electoral district six – promises to bring back peace and tranquillity to The Bight

BY DELANA ISLES

Political hopeful, Audric Skippings has once again thrown his hat in the ring as a contender for the 2025 elections with a promise to bring back the peace to electoral district six, The Bight.

Skippings – who was a candidate in the last elections - will again be contending for the seat under the banner of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM).

Skippings lost to Matthew Stubbs, 299 to 367 in the historic 2021 elections, but he has not given up hope. He wants another shot.

Once again, he bemoans the lack of representation in the constituency which has been won by PNP candidates in the last two elections – both of whom, according to him, have provided residents with zero empowerment and representation.

“The current elected member subscribes to the same status quo.

The two-decade-long adage of absolutely no representation and no empowerment of the Bight people.

“Moreover, despite the massive development, the Bight people are still, for the most part the employees and not the employers, the customers, and clients and not the businessmen and businesswomen and undoubtedly remain second and third-class citizens.”

A member of The Bight community from childhood, Skippings said the community remains his pride and joy – from Tower Drive in the east to Venetian and Turtle Tail in the west.

However, he said it saddens him to see the lack of substantive community projects, programmes, and other opportunities for residents, but should the voting community provide him with the opportunity, he will turn things around.

Citing unfulfilled election promises made by the current seat filler, Skippings stated that halfway through this current PNP administration’s term in office, the lack of focus and attention for the constituency is appalling, and that the current elected member does not seem to have the ability to accomplish the most mundane community initiatives.

He pointed to the numerous tourists’ hotspots and financial activity in the community, yet residents in that district continue to suffer in poverty.

“Most residents are living on a month-to-month basis, having to make a choice between paying school fees or keeping the light on, or putting food on the table or purchasing school supplies.

“This cannot continue to prevail in a district that is responsible for a significant portion of the country’s GDP, I promise this will not be the same status quo, if I become the representative of this constituency.”

He promises to provide employment opportunities for adults and educational programmes for those children who may not be academically inclined, in the form of a trade school.

“I would also assure you that community events are consistently done to preserve the cultural vibrance and community essence.

“I will continue to assist the youth of the Bight with sound life advice and ideas that ignite their entrepreneurial spirit.” Skippings also promises to bring back the peace, security and tranquillity of the community –eliminating violence and crime that are now commonplace in the district.

“So, I encourage my people of the Bight (ED6) not to give up, but remain steadfast, resilient, and hopeful, genuine help is on the way.”