Senior Reporter
Former minister in the ministry of finance Brian Manning says the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is entitled to seek whatever level of funding it believes is necessary to meet the needs of Tobagonians.
However, he stressed that any decision on the final allocation must take into account the country’s broader fiscal position and competing demands on the national budget.
THA is seeking a record $4.12 billion from Central Government for fiscal 2027. This is $400 million more than what the assembly asked for last year and represents 6.6 per cent of the projected national budget.
Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday, Manning said the THA allocation is not the only source of Government spending directed towards Tobago, as ministries also fund projects and programmes on the island through their own budgets.
“At the end of the day, it’s a decision to be made by the Minister of Finance, and I hope that he considers all of those factors when making that final decision,” he stated.
Manning maintained that allocations granted to Tobago in recent years reflected the economic conditions facing the country at the time, particularly as Trinidad and Tobago emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic and sought to rebuild economic activity.
He rejected suggestions that previous funding had not produced results, arguing that a number of projects were completed across Tobago over the years.
“You can list out all the fire stations and sporting complexes and also road paving and so on that took place in Tobago,” he added.
Meanwhile, TNT Seabridge Truckers Ltd public relations officer Damien Edwards said the focus should now be on how the proposed funding will be distributed and whether the spending translates into tangible benefits for Tobago’s economy.
He noted that the budget presentation provided a broad overview and that stakeholders would be looking closely at the upcoming debate to understand where the money is expected to go.
“We look now for the debate to see where these monies are going to be allocated and how it is going to bear fruit in fiscal 2027,” Edwards said.
From a business perspective, he pointed to signs of ongoing economic activity on the island, particularly in construction and tourism-related sectors.
He cited residential construction, villa developments and increased activity in the short-term rental market as indicators that investment continues to take place across Tobago.
On the issue of inter-island trade and transportation, Edwards said stakeholders remain focused on ensuring the sea bridge continues to operate efficiently and that communication remains open between all parties involved.
While acknowledging occasional operational challenges, Edwards maintained that the service continues to function.
The proposed $4.12 billion request will now form part of discussions between the THA and Central Government ahead of the preparation of the fiscal 2027 national budget, where the final allocation to Tobago will ultimately be determined.
Attempts by Guardian Media to obtain a comment from Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo and Minister in the Ministry of Finance Kennedy Swaratsingh were unsuccessful up to press time.
