Stories by Elizabeth Gonzales
Tobago Correspondent
Measures to tackle crime will take the spotlight on Monday during the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) budget presentation.
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine will present his final budget as Finance, Trade and Economy Secretary for the Draft Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of the THA for the financial year 2024-2025.
He also promised to reveal the new finance secretary next week.
Speaking to reporters yesterday in Parlatuvier, Augustine said the decision to make crime a priority was due to the current challenges with security and safety on the island.
He stated, “We have had some challenges with security, and so you will hear about strategies to deal with security, including how we budget for a localised police force.”
On May 4, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced plans to instruct the Attorney General to make “manageable amendments” to the THA Act to establish a THA police force.
The idea of a THA police force was first introduced by Augustine during an emergency press conference in early May to discuss the spike in murders on the island.
Augustine confirmed that the legal review for the THA police was complete. While national security would still be the government’s responsibility, the THA police would complement existing efforts. F
Following criticism, Augustine blamed the media for misrepresenting the THA police unit plans, reiterating that the unit’s purpose is not to replace or interfere with national security operations but to complement them.
He clarified that the legal review for the THA police was complete, identifying two possible implementation methods: amending the THA Act or using existing laws for security firms, similar to Municipal Police.
Yesterday, Augustine also revealed that this budget will demonstrate how the island’s economy has finally stabilised.
He said, “When I look over the data, I think that we have efficiently stabilised elements of the Tobago economy. Over the last couple of budget cycles, the focus was heavily on social intervention strategies coming out of COVID.”
He mentioned the THA’s move to increase salaries along with investments in the education, agriculture, and health sectors to stimulate the economy post-COVID-19.
Augustine said his request will fall within the DRC recommendation of between 4.3 and 6.9 per cent. He also mentioned plans to lead public consultations on the island’s economic development plan, as the last one expired in 2017.
Last fiscal year, the THA requested $4.54 billion from the Central Government to manage the island’s affairs. Tobago received $2.585 billion, with $2.298 billion designated for recurrent expenditure, $216 million for development programme expenditure, and $18 million for the Unemployment Relief Programme.
Last week, minority leader Kelvon Morris urged Tobagonians to keep low expectations for the budget. Morris predicts election bait in the form of fancy rhetoric, followed by repeated excuses of insufficient funding.
Still, he hopes for meaningful youth opportunities, tourism boosts, business support, and initiatives to revive the construction sector in the budget.