Budget Day — September 6?

BUDGET DAY in Trinidad and Tobago is slated for September 6. And a whopping $22 billion Budget is coming from the Government to run the affairs of the country for the next year. Government sources revealed yesterday that Prime Minister Patrick Manning, as Minister of Finance, is preparing his Budget preparation for Monday September 6. The $22 billion fiscal package is $2 billion more than the 2003-2004 presentation by the Minister of Finance last year.

This time however, more emphasis will be placed on dealing with the social and crime problems affecting the country. Prime Minister Manning, according to sources, will spend a lot of time addressing the crime problem, in particular the increase in murder and kidnappings. Increased allocations will go to the Ministry of National Security in its attempt to stem the crime wave plaguing the twin-island republic. More emphasis will be placed on beefing up with the police service with tools — more vehicles, hi-tech equipment, and weapons. The new anti-crime unit headed by Brigadier Peter Joseph will be highly considered. Sources said the Prime Minister wants to give more resources to the new Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul.

The Ministry of National Security will receive its highest allocation ever, the sources revealed. Apart from the police, the regiment, coast guard, fire, and prison services will be allocated more funding. The prison service will get extra for its rehabilitation programme. The coast guard will get equipment as emphasis will be placed on patrolling the coastline to stop pirates and the flow of drugs through the island. According to reports, the Prime Minister will attempt to find ways to boost the morale and image of the police service following the failure by the Government to pass the Police Reform Bills. The social services will come in for a healthy increase in funding, the sources added. The Prime Minister has already requested National Security Minister Martin Joseph to revise his budget to provide additional sources to the Police.

Government believes that the escalating murder and crime rate is as a result of the declining social problems in the country. One official said with the lack of job opportunities on the market, some people have turned to the life of crime. Government is hoping to pull in some of these persons in the proposed social programmes to be implemented. Government, according to the sources, also plan to plough additional resources in the Ministries of Education and Health. There will be more funding going to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education as it embarks on the University of Trinidad and Tobago. Parliament is now on its annual mid-year vacation. It is expected that the new term  will be convened in time for the Budget presentation. When contacted yesterday, Minister of Trade Ken Valley said he was unaware of the date of the Budget presentation.