Big money for cops, firemen, courts

The funds will be used for initiatives such as the construction of new police stations (in places such as Gasparillo, Tunapuna, Toco, Belmont and Carenage), purchase of 174 new vehicles, computerisation of the entire Police Service and their vehicles "so that information is ready at hand to enable better performance by the Protective Services in the apprehension and halting of crimes within our country."

In the wake of a devastating fire which damaged several businesses in downtown Port-of-Spain earlier this year, the Fire Service has received a $71.5 million allocation to develop an upgraded and viable saltwater system in Port-of-Spain, construct new stations in Couva and Sangre Grande, acquire essential fire-fighting vehicles and equipment, refurbish old vehicles and equipment, and design and prepare a site for a new San Fernando fire station.

The Judiciary received an allocation of $48.9 million for the upgrade of the Halls of Justice in Port-of-Spain and San Fernando, continued refurbishment of the nation’s magistrates’ courts, construction of magistrates courts in Sangre Grande, Chaguanas and Siparia and the successful operation of the new Family Court of Trinidad and Tobago.

Border security was bolstered through a $45.5 million allocation to the Coast Guard. These funds will be used in particular for the purchase of vessels "which will help in the battle to protect our coastlines against the illegal imports of narcotics and arms as well as assist sea-faring travellers in times of distress." The Coast Guard will use the remaining funds for initiatives such as upgrading its Staubles Bay base to accommodate a larger fleet of vessels.

In presenting the Budget in Parliament on Wednesday, Prime Minister Patrick Manning said Government expects to receive three offshore patrol vessels and six fast interceptor vessels for the Coast Guard soon, and a coastal radar system purchased from Israel which will be fully operational "in the next few days."

Some $39.9 million was allocated for the upgrade of existing facilities used by the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, while $23.35 million was allocated to the Prison Service to refurbish the sewer treatment plant at the Golden Grove Maximum Security Prison, establish a training college at Golden Grove and other projects "all in aid of rehabilitating the present prison population, bringing a modern and practical approach rather than a draconian one, to prison reform."