Improving water supplies, strengthening national security and expanding access to housing are among the priorities in the Government’s $4 billion capital spending programme for fiscal 2027.
The plans include funding for production wells and water treatment facilities aimed at improving supply, $471.2 million for security-related projects, and millions of dollars for housing repairs and land distribution.
The National Water Sector Enhancement Programme has been allocated $45 million for production wells, with the aim of working towards a baseline supply of 24 hours a day, three days a week, nationwide. A further $30 million is allocated for water treatment facilities in several communities.
For national security, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is set to receive $230.5 million, while $114 million is allocated to the Coast Guard. Housing initiatives include $30 million for repairs to Housing Development Corporation rental apartment blocks and $20 million for the Land for the Landless programme.
The allocations form part of a $3.9996 billion Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) covering 1,272 projects in fiscal 2027.
Water supply a priority
The water sector allocations include $45 million for production wells under the National Water Sector Enhancement Programme, intended to help establish a baseline supply of 24 hours a day, three days a week, nationwide.
Another $30 million from an Inter-American Development Bank-funded programme is earmarked for treatment facilities serving Santa Cruz, Goldsborough, Guanapo, Chatham, Freeport, Navet and North Oropouche.
The Caroni Water Treatment Plant, which serves about 500,000 people and produces approximately 75 million gallons of water daily, is allocated $7.5 million for travelling bridges and sludge systems.
A further $12 million is set aside for the Beetham wastewater treatment plant, which serves about 300,000 people in greater Port-of-Spain and Diego Martin.
Police and Coast Guard funding
The security allocation totals $471.2 million, or 11.8 per cent of the capital programme.
The Police Service’s $230.5 million allocation includes $20 million for vehicles, $20 million for operational equipment and $26 million for repairs.
The Coast Guard is allocated $114 million, including $72 million for maintenance of two Austal-built Cape Class patrol vessels and 12 Damen interceptors. A further $20 million is allocated for facilities at Staubles Bay and $10 million for Cedros.
The Prison Service is allocated $25.4 million, while $27.3 million is earmarked for the Municipal Police.
Housing and land distribution
Housing initiatives include $41 million for urban upgrading and revitalisation, alongside $30 million for repairs to HDC rental apartment blocks in northern, central and southern Trinidad.
The Land for the Landless programme is allocated $20 million for lots at Arena, Balmain, Couva and San Fernando. The programme provides for 199-year deeds of lease.
In Tobago, $17.4 million is allocated for housing projects in Castara, Blenheim and Riseland.
Other major investments
The wider programme includes $261.1 million for school repairs during the vacation period, $100 million for laptops and tablets, $80 million for dialysis services, $50 million for adult cardiac services and $15 million to address surgical backlogs.
Road and drainage projects include $150 million for the Programme for Upgrading and Improving Access to Land, aimed at settling contracts and completing rural access roads and drainage works, and $60 million for packages associated with the Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension’s northern link to Point Fortin.
The programme also includes tourism upgrades in Tobago, agricultural projects and investments in digital government services.
Spending record raises questions
The Government has allocated $3.9996 billion for 1,272 projects in fiscal 2027, about $100.4 million, or 2.4 per cent, below the $4.1 billion approved for capital expenditure in fiscal 2026.
However, only $2.8461 billion of the previous year’s allocation was spent, representing an absorption rate of 69.4 per cent.
The Government attributed delays to procurement and administrative adjustments following the full proclamation of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment and Validation) Act.
For 2027, $3.8071 billion, or 95.2 per cent of the capital programme, will be funded domestically, with the remaining $192.5 million coming from external financing.
The effectiveness of the programme will ultimately depend on whether the allocations translate into more reliable water supplies, improved security services, and tangible progress in housing and infrastructure for communities.
