Imbert, Sinanan: Tobago not neglected

As he concluded debate on the bill, Imbert said Moore’s statements reflected a lack of understanding of the established budgetary process in TT and how Tobago’s appropriation is determined. Moore, who is the Tobago Forwards party leader, is also a former justice minister in the former People’s Partnership (PP) government.

“The arrangements for appropriation to Tobago are fixed in law,” Imbert reminded senators. He said there have been occasions in the past where even though the actual budget expenditure is reduced, the appropriation to Tobago is unaffected.

As he reiterated that expenditure in the 2016/2017 budget could be less that the $53 billion that was projected, Imbert said, “Tobago gets its original allocation as if the actual expenditure was the original $53 billion.” Earlier in the debate, Sinanan observed that Moore never asked the PP why proper arrangements were never put in place for the Super Fast Galicia to operate on the domestic seabridge. “Why not question your government? Why six months, not for a year?” he asked her. Government senators thumped their desks as Sinanan declared there have been no corruption allegations against any government minister in the 19 months that the PNM has been in office.

However he observed that in the PP’s first 19 months, “You could write a book on allegations.” Sinanan reminded senators that the new driver’s permit was launched in Tobago. He said when he assumed office last November, he discovered plans for a Sea Lots walkover which were made in 2013 but never implemented, though the PP was in government from May 2010 to September 2015.

“Nobody saw it fit to build the overpass,” he lamented. Recalling that the Curepe Interchange “brought down” the PP, Sinanan said Government was doing the project properly and the tenders would close on June 7. He also said the Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension Project will be restarted and will not stop until it reaches Point Fortin.

Work is also continuing apace on designs for the Valencia to Toco Highway and consultations on the Toco fast ferry port are ongoing, he said, promising all of these projects will be done “without any corruption.”