分类： politics

Businesswoman Diane Hadad, former chair of the Tobago branch of the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce, has praised the government’s initiative to shift towards project-based budget allocations for Tobago. This proposal, unveiled by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar during a special sitting of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) on November 4, aims to replace the current population percentage-based budgeting system with a more equitable and transparent model. However, Hadad emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive development plan for Tobago before any fiscal policy changes are implemented. Speaking to Newsday on November 5, she highlighted the island’s lack of a clear strategy for its 116 square miles, which she believes has hindered its progress. “Tobago needs to articulate its vision and goals before discussing autonomy or funding,” she stated. Hadad compared the situation to seeking a bank loan, where a solid business plan is essential to secure investment. She also criticized the past two decades of PNM-led governance, noting that Tobago’s infrastructure and human capital have not significantly improved despite budget allocations. Meanwhile, Mariano Browne, former trade minister and current CEO of the Arthur Lok Jack School of Business, cautioned that the Prime Minister’s proposal lacks detailed implementation strategies. He pointed out the nation’s strained fiscal capacity, with expenditures exceeding revenues, and questioned the feasibility of additional funding for Tobago. Browne explained that an equalization fund aims to redistribute resources to reduce regional disparities but stressed the importance of objective criteria for project selection and funding. He raised concerns about project viability, including technical, financial, operational, market, and legal considerations. While the shift to project-based budgeting is seen as a positive step, both Hadad and Browne agree that meticulous planning and transparency are crucial for Tobago’s sustainable development.

In a significant move aimed at bolstering Tobago’s economic prospects, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced the issuance of an export license for quarry operations at Studley Park during her visit to the island on November 4. This initiative, described as ‘low-hanging fruit,’ requires minimal financial investment but is projected to generate up to $1.4 billion in revenue over the next three years. The announcement underscores the Prime Minister’s strategic vision for enhancing Trinidad and Tobago’s economic and political unity, particularly in the context of the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections. The license, to be managed by Studley Park Enterprises Ltd, a company owned by the THA, marks a pivotal step in unlocking Tobago’s aggregate resources. However, the initiative also raises complex regulatory and environmental challenges that THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine must navigate. Beyond the immediate economic impact, the Prime Minister hinted at broader reforms, including the replacement of the current budgetary range with a ‘fair share’ project-based model and addressing the long-standing issue of Tobago’s autonomy. This announcement signals a potential turning point in the relationship between the two islands, as Ms. Persad-Bissessar emphasized a unified vision for the nation’s future.

Opposition Senator Vishnu Dhanpaul has raised alarms over the potential dire consequences of the 2025/2026 budget collapse, warning that the upcoming holiday season could be particularly harsh for civil servants and citizens reliant on public assistance. Speaking at a media conference on November 6, Dhanpaul highlighted that the opposition had foreseen the $59.2 billion fiscal package’s failure, predicting it would unravel before the end of January 2026 during their contributions to the budget debate in Parliament. As a former finance minister and permanent secretary, Dhanpaul pointed out that the signs of impending financial distress were evident, with delayed payments over the past few months. He anticipates that Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo will soon seek additional funds from Parliament to address the shortfall. Newsday has attempted to reach Tancoo for a response to these claims, but no statement has been issued yet.

Opposition Senator Dr. Amery Browne has sharply criticized the Trinidad and Tobago (TT) government for allegedly abandoning its long-standing foreign policy positions in favor of mimicking those of another country, widely believed to be the United States. Speaking at a briefing hosted by Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles on November 4, Browne began by referencing a UN spokesman’s condemnation of the US military’s recent destruction of several alleged drug boats, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 60 people. The UN labeled this action a violation of international human rights principles. Browne described the government’s foreign policy as ‘inauthentic and unrepresentative,’ accusing it of merely adopting narratives and talking points from external sources. He emphasized TT’s geographical proximity to Venezuela, stating that this permanent reality necessitates prudent, wise, and sustainable management of bilateral relations. Browne also questioned Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers’ recent characterization of Venezuelan ambassador Alvaro Sanchez Cordero as ‘my good friend,’ despite the government’s alleged support for regime change in Caracas. He further criticized the government for accusing the opposition of having a ‘narco agenda,’ referencing a 2013 incident where police found marijuana outside former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s residence, though no culpability was established. Browne also highlighted concerns raised by the Antilles Episcopalian Conference and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Port of Spain regarding the US military buildup in the Caribbean and the normalization of conflict. He lamented the government’s lack of an independent foreign policy and its alleged endorsement of extrajudicial killings, including a minister’s threat to use nuclear weapons against Venezuela. Browne concluded by criticizing the government for not issuing its own statement congratulating Bolivia’s new president, instead co-signing a statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He warned against the dangers of war, particularly for small states like TT, and reminded leaders of the consequences faced by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is now before the International Criminal Court for alleged drug war-related murders.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s inaugural address to the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) on November 4 has sparked a spectrum of reactions among stakeholders. Speaking at the Assembly Legislature in Scarborough, Tobago, the Prime Minister unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering the island’s financial autonomy and economic prospects. Key among these was the introduction of an export licence to market Tobago’s aggregate regionally, a move designed to generate foreign exchange and stimulate economic growth. Additionally, Persad-Bissessar pledged to implement a fair-share model for budgetary allocations and collaborate with the THA to establish a localised police force to address crime on the island. However, THA Minority Leader Kelvon Morris dismissed the speech as politically motivated, accusing the Prime Minister of prioritizing the upcoming THA elections over pressing issues affecting both Tobago and Trinidad. Morris criticized the lack of progress on autonomy, labeling the address as a repetition of long-standing promises. In contrast, Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) leader Watson Duke praised the initiatives, describing them as significant steps toward greater self-determination. He highlighted the potential economic benefits of the export licence and the enhanced security a localised police force could bring. The Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce also welcomed the focus on Tobago, though it emphasized the importance of effective implementation and transparency.