A Zoo and Paid Parking for Tobago

A zoo, a paid parking system in Scarborough and a marina development are among 29 new projects

targeted for pre-investment support in fiscal year 2015, according to Assemblyman Joel Jack, Finance and Enterprise Development Secretary, speaking at his 2015 Budget presentation at a sitting of the Assembly legislature on Monday. He stated that $25 million of his $5.68 billion budget will be used for the pre-investment support programme.

He has allocated $3.13 billion for recurrent expenditure and $2.55 billion for the development programme in fiscal 2015. The recurrent estimates represent an increase of $163.86 million over the fiscal 2014 request to the central government and $1.31 billion over the revised estimates for that year.

The $2.55 billion requested for the development programme is an increase of $638.87 million over the fiscal 2014 request and $1.91 billion over the revised 2014 estimates.

The budget is based on the theme "Keeping Faith with the People's Mandate, Protecting Tobago's Heritage". He said the budget was prepared after extensive consultations with various interest groups, a budget survey and the Comprehensive Economic Development Plan for Tobago (CEDP 2.0).

Highlights of the proposed 2015 budget include:

• $20.1m support for the Information Technology Centre

• $5m funding for the establishment of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) unit

• $11.4m funding for the Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute (TTHTI)

• $330m continued support of the airlift committee

• $16.5m continued assistance to small properties in the tourism industry

• $8.8m assistance to sport tourism organisations

• $12.1 million to Tobago tourism festivals

• $50m continued support for the school feeding programme

• $3.5m for an expanded agricultural incentive programme

• $1.5m provision for subsidising fishermen

• $6.4m social assistance for vulnerable groups

• $463.1m for Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA)

• $54.1m provisions for CEPEP

• $4m continued assistance to cultural groups

• And continued support for adult education extension services (adult classes)

Source:THA

$4.95 Billion THA Budget

Joel Jack Finance Secretary of THA

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Finance Secretary Joel Jack yesterday presented a $4.95 billion budget. 

His presentation of the estimates for the 2013/2014 fiscal year lasted
just under three hours and was themed “Responding To The People’s Mandate”.

Jack criticised the People’s Partnership Government for “unprecedented turmoil and poor governance” and admitted that his was an “ambitious programme for housing and settlements”. 

There was no response to his criticisms of the Government as there is no THA Minority Leader.

Previously, former minority leader Ashworth Jack would have responded but the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) lost all 12 seats to the People’s National Movement (PNM) in the THA election in January.

Jack spoke of extensive infrastructural projects.

“Among these are $8 million for the construction of sea defence walls and $4 million for coastal zone protection,” he said.

The infrastructure budget also calls for major improvement works on secondary roads ($30 million) and the construction of bridges on Milford Road at a cost of $15 million.

And, in response to concerns expressed by people all over Tobago, the Assembly plans to undertake a $40-million road resurfacing programme; a $45-million programme for upgrading road efficiency (PURE); the rehabilitation and extension of Claude Noel Highway; and an upgrade of Milford Road at a cost of $6 million.

Also included in the infrastructure budget is an allocation of $10 million for the Windward Road Special Development Programme and $43 million for the construction of Roxborough Plaza.

Jack also spoke of delays encountered with the Scarborough Library and Shaw Park Cultural Complex, making firm completion dates unpredictable. 

He said the current budget provides for an allocation of $40 million for the library and $75 million for the Cultural Complex. 

The Division of Infrastructure and Public Utilities is currently operating on the presumption that, with the appropriate funding made available and with on-going contractual issues settled, work on both structures will proceed steadily in the next fiscal year.

Minister of Tobago Development Dr Delmon  Baker congratulated Jack on his presentation, but he said he found it lacked direction for the people of Tobago.

“I looked at the presentation as a whole and thought there was not sufficient direction for the people of Tobago, with regard to the Assembly’s planning going forward,” Baker said.

He added that he was committed to Tobago’s best interest and “to fight for the people of Tobago, and not for an administration”.  

The budget presentation was later adjourned to Thursday, when all secretaries and assistant secretaries will respond. 

2013/2014 Breakdown of Estimates

The following is the breakdown of estimates for the 2013/2014 fiscal year:

• Castara Housing Estate Development—$16.2 million;

• Courland Estate Land Development—$33.0 million;

•  Development of Belle Garden Estate Phase II—$28.0 million;

• Land Development Adelphi Estate—$50 million;

• Special Land Development Programme for Windward Tobago—$18 million;

•  Mt Irvine Housing Development—$22 million;

• Shirvan Road Housing Development—$40 million;  

The 2014 estimates of revenue, both tax and non-tax, are as follows:

• Taxes on Income and Profits—$81.2 million;

•  Taxes on Property—$0.5 million;

• Taxes on Goods and Services—$58.7 million;

• Taxes on International Trade—$2.5 million;

• Other Taxes—$3.0 million;

• Total Tax Revenue—$152.9 million.

• Property Income Taxes—$0.2 million;

• Other Non-tax Revenue—$1.4 million;

• Total Non-Tax Revenue—$1.6 million;

• Total Revenue—$154.6 million

Source:trinidadexpress

Joel Jack ‘ready’ for first THA budget

Joel Jack, Finance Secretary of THA

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Finance Secretary Joel Jack will make his first THA budget presentation on Monday and he said he is ready for the task at hand.

To date, Jack has met with members of the credit unions, the youths, the chamber of commerce, and the tourism sector.

Head of the Hotel and Tourism Association Nicholas Hardwicke told the Express yesterday that talks with the Finance Secretary have been fruitful.

“We have had extensive discussions with Mr Jack of the Tobago House of Assembly. He has absolutely reaffirmed that the Tobago House of Assembly is very committed to developing the tourism product on the island,” Hardwicke said.

Investor confidence must be encouraged, more available quality room stock, and even more critical, airlift for Tobago are the main issues that should be addressed, he said.

“We are expecting and hoping to see a very good commitment towards the marketing budget for next year, also towards the facilities necessary for securing and maintaining airlift connections,” added Hardwicke.

And while the marketing of Tobago is of paramount importance, the Government needs to also do its part.

“Naturally we want that commitment to be followed up with a very firm commitment from Government when it comes to the national budget later on down the year. Without the resources that central government gives Tobago, that really compromises any ambition that we have here.”

Hardwicke lamented the poor state of ANR Robinson International Airport at Crown Point and is hopeful for a new terminal with upgrades to the existing facility.

“The airport, the ANR Robinson International Airport, is in such an appalling state and it is the first and last impression we give our visitors when they come here. It is extremely detrimental,” he stated.

And Diane Hadad, chairman of the Tobago Chamber of Industry of Commerce, wants more results and less talk.

She said there have been promises, but what she wants to see now are those promises rolled out.

Source: Trinidadexpress