Would you believe that THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine says he feels “gutted” by the reduced direct funding and cuts to capital development in the 2027 National Budget?
Would you believe after the October 12, 2026 presentation of the National Budget, Augustine said the THA’s direct allocation had fallen from about TT$2.9 billion to just over TT$2.7 billion?
Would you believe that capital development funding in Tobago fell from TT$201 million to approximately TT$150 million?
Would you believe that Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo said TT$2.756 billion would be allocated directly for the THA, representing 4.35% of the national budget? An additional TT$716.5 million through central ministries brings Tobago’s combined allocation to TT$3.473 billion, or 5.48%.
Would you believe Tobago’s direct share had fallen from 5% and Farley argued that it should have remained at the previous level? He said Tobago MPs would lobby for more funding during the budget debate.
Would you believe Farley said that notwithstanding the reduced allocation, the relationship with the Government remains respectful and productive? He also, however, continues his call for constitutional reform to establish an objective funding formula for Tobago.
Would you believe that Augustine plans to unveil an autonomy initiative in late November 2026? The THA also plans to reprioritize capital projects in November.
with the sod-turning ceremony for the proposed Marriott Hotel and
Conference Centre at Rocky Point, Mount Irvine
Would you believe that after a packed day of events across Tobago, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar concluded her official engagements with the sod-turning ceremony for the proposed Marriott Hotel and Conference Centre at Rocky Point, Mount Irvine?
Would you believe that the TT$540 million privately financed project, which comes at no cost to taxpayers, will feature a 200-room Marriott hotel, conference facilities and 67 residential units?
Would you believe that the development is expected to create approximately 600 construction jobs and between 500 and 800 jobs once operational, while generating significant opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs?
Would you believe that together with the commissioning of the new East Terminal at the A.N.R. Robinson International Airport, the Marriott represents another major step towards strengthening Tobago’s tourism industry, creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities for its people?
Would you believe that Pennelope Beckles has accused the UNC Government of politically discriminating against communities through projected reductions in development allocations for seven PNM-led municipal corporations?
Would you believe Beckles argued that their combined development allocations would fall from TT$129.3 million in fiscal 2025 to TT$31.62 million in 2027, a reduction of TT$97.68 million?
Would you believe that she cited Arima as an example, claiming its development allocation would decline from TT$18.25 million to TT$2.5 million over the same period, a reduction of approximately 86.3%?
Would you believe that she questioned whether the reductions reflected development needs and population demands or political considerations? She called on the Government to publish its allocation criteria and demonstrate how they were applied.
Would you believe she is also claiming that Public Sector Investment Programme allocation fell from TT$6.2 billion in 2024 to TT$4.1 billion in 2026, while housing funding declined from TT$1.285 billion to TT$637 million over those years?
Would you believe Stuart Young is claiming that the positive energy initiatives highlighted in the 2027 National Budget stem from work done by him and the previous PNM government?
Would you believe he argued that the sector’s announcements offered nothing new and described the presentation as a, “thank the PNM budget”?
Would you believe he singled out the restructuring of Atlantic LNG, which he credited with helping keep revenue stable despite reduced production? He also claims that the current administration had not improved gas output.
Would you believe that Young disputed the gas-production figures presented in the Budget and accused the Government of including inaccuracies?
Would you believe that Young questioned the Government’s restart promises and estimated that reopening it would cost at least US$1.5 billion? He also said a source of crude oil and the necessary resources would also be required.
Would you believe that Colm Imbert has accused the Government of misleading pensioners about the TT$250 increase announced in the 2027 Budget, arguing that an unchanged income cap would prevent some recipients from benefiting?
Would you believe at the PNM’s post-budget press conference, Imbert said pensioners receiving both the Senior Citizens Pension and a National Insurance pension face a combined monthly ceiling of TT$5,500? He argued that those already at that limit would not receive additional income from the increase unless the cap is raised.
Would you believe Imbert noted that the former PNM government had raised the combined ceiling from TT$4,500 to TT$5,500, an increase of TT$1,000? He also said approximately 30,000 pensioners receive both payments.
Would you believe that Imbert also criticised the pensioner tax allowance adjustment and warned of higher National Insurance contributions in 2027? More broadly, he criticised what he described as a lack of economic analysis in the Budget and challenged the Government’s revenue projections.
