In a landmark decision, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has allocated a historic $3.72 billion to Tobago for fiscal year 2026, marking the largest financial injection the island has ever received. The announcement was made by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo during the $59 billion budget presentation in the House of Representatives on October 13. This allocation fulfills the Tobago House of Assembly’s (THA) request of $3.71 billion, a stark contrast to previous years when the THA’s budgetary demands were consistently unmet under the former administration. In 2024, for instance, the THA requested $3.956 billion but received only $2.599 billion. Tancoo emphasized that the $2.96 billion allocated to the THA represents 5% of the national budget, with an additional $763 million earmarked for various ministries, bringing the total to $3.72 billion, or 6.3% of the national budget. The announcement was met with jubilation from Tobago East MP David Thomas and Tobago West MP Joel Sampson, who joined Government MPs in a spirited show of approval. The Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce expressed gratitude for the allocation, with President Curtis Williams highlighting the importance of transparent and efficient spending. Williams also welcomed plans for direct US-Tobago flights, the opening of the ANR Robinson International Airport’s new terminal, and the development of Marriott-brand hotels and the Elephant Tree project. However, he urged the THA to address existing financial challenges, such as unpaid vendors and contractors. Martin George, Chairman of the Tobago Business Chamber, remained cautiously optimistic, stressing the need for proper fiscal management to ensure Tobago’s economic growth.
标签： Trinidad and Tobago
特立尼达和多巴哥
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John Procope starts journey to swim around Tobago
Endurance swimmer John Procope embarked on a monumental challenge on October 13, aiming to swim around the island of Tobago within 48 hours. The grueling endeavor began at Pigeon Point, where Procope was met by a group of supporters, including Wane Clarke, the Secretary of Community Development for the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). A support vessel equipped with essential supplies like food and water will accompany him throughout the journey. Additionally, two fellow swimmers, Jacob Cox and William Carr, will join Procope for portions of the swim to provide moral and physical support. Procope’s ambitious goal is to complete the circumnavigation by 9 a.m. on October 15. This is not the first time Procope has taken on such a daunting task. In October 2024, he successfully swam from Tobago to Trinidad in approximately 25 hours, showcasing his exceptional endurance and determination. This latest challenge further cements his reputation as a pioneer in the world of extreme swimming.
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Agri Society: Expand incentives, no more ‘talk shop’
The Trinidad and Tobago agriculture sector is cautiously optimistic about the promises outlined in the 2025/2026 national budget, presented by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo on October 13. With a total expenditure of $59.232 billion, the agriculture sector is set to receive $1.13 billion, a slight decrease from the previous year’s allocation of $1.184 billion. However, stakeholders are urging the government to move beyond rhetoric and deliver tangible results. Darryl Rampersad, president of the Agriculture Society, expressed skepticism, noting that past government pledges often failed to materialize. He emphasized the need for agriculture to be prioritized and for existing incentive programs to be expanded, including the removal of VAT on essential agricultural items. Minister Tancoo announced several measures aimed at revitalizing the sector, including VAT exemptions on machinery and equipment for agricultural use, hydroponic and greenhouse farming components, and locally grown produce. Additionally, Customs Duty on feed for poultry, cattle, and pigs will be removed starting January 1, 2026. The government is also aligning with Caricom’s ’25 by 2025′ initiative, aiming to reduce food imports by 25% by 2030. Key strategies include a three-year priority commodities program, climate-resilient farming, crop insurance, and investments in agri-tech and smart agriculture. With $793.7 million allocated for infrastructure, irrigation, and fisheries, the government is targeting $1 billion in agricultural exports in the next fiscal year.
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PNM hits ‘unrealistic,’ ‘fake,’ ‘fraudulent’ budget
The 2025-2026 national budget, presented by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, has been met with fierce criticism from the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM), who labeled it as ‘fake and fraudulent.’ Central to the controversy is the government’s decision to peg the budget to an oil price of US$73.25 per barrel and a natural gas price of US$4.35 per mmbtu, figures that have been deemed unrealistic by critics. Current market prices for WTI crude and Brent crude stand at approximately US$60 and US$63.50 per barrel, respectively, while natural gas is priced at US$3.09 per mmbtu. Former Finance Minister Colm Imbert accused the government of deliberately inflating revenue estimates to access funds from the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund (HSF), a claim Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar vehemently denied. Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles criticized the budget for ‘giving with one hand and taking away with the other,’ citing increased taxes and insufficient measures to stimulate the economy. Former Energy Minister Stuart Young echoed these concerns, warning that higher electricity rates and taxes would ultimately burden citizens. The opposition also accused the government of neglecting critical issues such as crime and education, with Port of Spain East MP Keith Scotland questioning the logic behind policies aimed at increasing revenue through traffic fines. Despite the backlash, Tancoo defended the budget, asserting that the figures were realistic and based on a ‘basket price’ approach rather than individual crude benchmarks.
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Flash flooding in south, central Trinidad
Heavy rainfall on the afternoon of October 13 led to sudden flash floods in multiple regions of central and south Trinidad, prompting urgent warnings from disaster management authorities. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) issued a 4 pm update, highlighting significant flooding in the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo and Princes Town municipalities. In the central area, residential flooding was reported along Hermitage Road in Claxton Bay, while Pine Avenue in Fairview Park, Freeport, and Macaulay Trace Junction faced street flooding. In Princes Town, Guaracara Tabaquite Road near the Williamsville Community Centre and Piparo Junction were also affected. Fortunately, no property damage was reported. The ODPM urged residents in flood-prone zones to secure household items, relocate vehicles to higher ground, and avoid walking or driving through floodwaters to ensure safety.
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New board appointed to TATT
The Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence has officially inaugurated a new board of directors for the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT). The installation ceremony, held on October 10 in Port of Spain, marked a significant step in advancing the nation’s telecommunications and broadcasting sectors. The newly appointed board is led by Chairman Chris Seecharanm and Deputy Chairman Jerome Khan, alongside members Mentor Baptiste, Dr. Justin Koo, Avanti Supersad, Russel Romero, Suresh Boodoo, Dion Khan, and Danielle Pounder. Each member brings extensive expertise in telecommunications, law, entrepreneurship, and education, ensuring a diverse and capable leadership team. Minister Dominic Smith emphasized TATT’s critical role in ensuring equitable access to technological advancements for all citizens. He urged the board to focus on core regulatory functions, leverage artificial intelligence to enhance operations, and prioritize empathy in addressing citizens’ challenges. Drawing inspiration from Steve Jobs’ ‘signal versus noise’ theory, Smith encouraged the board to dedicate 80% of their efforts to purposeful execution while fostering innovation and agility. He stressed that technology must serve humanity, aligning with the government’s commitment to people-centered progress. TATT, as an independent regulatory body, is tasked with managing spectrum and numbering resources, setting service standards, promoting sector liberalization, and fostering investment to ensure nationwide access to reliable and affordable communications services. The ministry expressed confidence that the new board will uphold transparency, fairness, and excellence, driving innovation and sustainable growth in a sector vital to Trinidad and Tobago’s national development.
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Levi: It was do or die against Bermuda in World Cup qualifier
Following a decisive 3-0 victory over Bermuda in the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers, Trinidad and Tobago’s senior men’s football team is gearing up for a pivotal Group B clash against Curacao. The match is scheduled for October 14 at the Ergilio Hate Stadium, with kickoff at 7 pm TT time. This encounter comes on the heels of TT’s first win in the final round, which followed a goalless draw against Curacao in September and a 2-0 defeat to Jamaica. Stand-in captain Levi Garcia, who plays professionally for Spartak Moscow, emphasized the significance of the upcoming game, describing it as ‘the most important game at the moment’ in their qualifying campaign. Garcia expressed pride in the team’s performance against Bermuda but stressed the need for continued improvement and unity. The Bermuda match saw TT break their goal drought with Dante Sealy scoring early, followed by Tyrese Spicer and Kobi Henry adding to the tally. Garcia highlighted the importance of early goals in setting the tone for a dominant performance. Both Garcia and Sealy praised the team’s cohesion and execution of the game plan, despite challenging weather conditions. Garcia also underscored the contributions of younger players, noting their growing confidence and importance to the squad. With TT currently third in Group B, Garcia urged the team to maintain focus, belief, and togetherness as they aim for a positive result against Curacao. The team will conclude their qualifying campaign with home matches against Jamaica and Bermuda in November. Only the group winners secure automatic World Cup qualification, with the two best second-placed teams advancing to FIFA’s intercontinental playoff.
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CPO to offer 10% to public servants
In a significant development for public sector employees, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo announced during the 2025/2026 national budget presentation at the Red House on October 13 that the Prime Minister has directed the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) to submit a revised salary offer of ten per cent for the periods 2014-2016 and 2017-2019. This move aims to conclude long-standing negotiations with civil service statutory authorities and the Tobago House of Assembly. Minister Tancoo emphasized the government’s commitment to ratifying collective agreements signed in 2025 between the CPO and various associations, unions, and committees representing the teaching service, defense force, and municipal corporations of Port of Spain and San Fernando. The financial implications of these agreements are substantial, with an estimated annual recurrent cost of $234 million and arrears amounting to $730 million as of December 2025. To address these obligations, the government plans to collaborate with Republic Bank, First Citizens Bank, and the National Insurance Board to devise a comprehensive solution. This announcement marks a critical step in resolving protracted salary disputes and underscores the administration’s focus on public sector welfare.
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St James Police Youth Club hosts Beyond the Beat concert
The St James Police Youth Club marked its 33rd anniversary with a spectacular concert titled ‘Beyond the Beat,’ held at the Four Roads Community Centre in Diego Martin on October 5. The event was a vibrant celebration of culture and talent, featuring a lineup of distinguished performers and honoring cultural icon Gene Toney, founder of Cocorite YuJamaas. The concert showcased a diverse array of performances, including the rhythmic beats of the Diegoville Drummers, the energetic moves of Organized Chaos, and the captivating dances by the St James Police Youth Club Ballroom Dancing Academy, featuring Taylor McCalfin and Malik Sharbodie. Austin ‘SuperBlue’ Lyons, a legendary calypsonian, thrilled the audience with his dynamic performance, while Xhaiden Darius, the 2025 National Junior Calypso Monarch, delivered a standout act. The Cocorite Ujamaa Folk Performers added a traditional touch with their fan dance, and the Ignited Dancers (Juniors) brought youthful energy to the stage. The event also included a special award presentation to calypsonian Philip ‘Black Sage’ Murray by Corporal Derrick Sharbodie, founder and manager of the St James Police Youth Club. Newsday photographer Faith Ayoung captured the essence of the celebration through her lens, documenting the memorable moments of this cultural extravaganza.
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India close in on series win over Windies despite John Campbell, Shai Hope centuries
West Indies openers John Campbell and Shai Hope delivered remarkable performances on the fourth day of the second Test against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Despite their centuries, the Caribbean team remains on the brink of a 2-0 series defeat. Campbell, resuming his innings at 87 not out, achieved his maiden Test century with a solid 115, while Hope, unbeaten overnight on 66, also reached triple figures with a composed 103. Their efforts propelled West Indies to a second innings total of 390, but India’s dominant first innings lead left them with a modest target of 121 for victory. Campbell’s innings included 12 fours and three sixes, while Hope struck 12 fours and two sixes. However, a middle-order collapse saw West Indies lose five wickets for just 18 runs, with Roston Chase contributing 40. The last-wicket partnership of Justin Greaves (50 not out) and Jayden Seales (32) added 79 runs, delaying India’s pursuit. India’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah (3/44) and Kuldeep Yadav (3/104), kept the pressure on. In response, India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal early but KL Rahul (25 not out) and Sai Sudharsan (30 not out) steadied the ship, leaving India needing just 58 more runs for victory on the final day.