THA UNVEILS $2B BUDGET

In a 135-minute presentation, interspersed with biting political picong, Dr Anselm London, Secretary of Finance at the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), yesterday unveiled a Budget package totalling just under $2 billion for the 2004/2005 financial year. The presentation was made during a special sitting of the THA at the Assembly Chamber in Scarborough. The actual figure of the THA Estimates of Expenditure for the 2005 fiscal year is $1.929 billion. Of this figure, $1.014 billion is being earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while $861.44 million is being sought under the Development Programme.

The Assembly is asking for $26.1 million for the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP); $25 million for community-based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP); and $3 million under the Road Improvement Fund. A breakdown of recurrent expenditure showed $403.385 million for personnel expenditure; $317.233 million — goods and services; $30.624 million — minor equipment purchases; and $262.839 million for current transfers and subsidies. Under the recurrent expenditure, the largest chunk, $254.267 million, goes to the Division of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, with $223.782 million being earmarked for the Health and Social Services Division, and $193.572 million for the Education/Youth Affairs/Sports Division.

In an immediate response to the Budget proposals, THA Minority Leader Hochoy Charles described the lengthy presentation as an exercise in verbal gymnastics. “I don’t have any comment to make on the quantum of money,” he told Newsday. It’s the question of leadership and the question of performance. I have not seen the evidence that we have received any such money last year, the economy doesn’t reflect it. All I have heard today is a lot of verbal gymnastics!” Charles declared.