Tobago is seeking $3.96 billion dollars from central government to manage its affairs for fiscal 2024/2025.

As he delivered the THA budget on Monday, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said the figure represents $5.80 out of every $100 in the country’s purse- an ask he described as “fair and reasonable”.

“I am certain that all, inclusive of the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, will agree that the THA’s formal request for a minimum share of 5.8 per cent of the 2025 national budget is reasonable and just, as it is in alignment with the Tobago population share of 5.05 per cent in 2022,” Augustine said.

Last fiscal year, the THA had requested $4.5 billion, receiving $2.5 billion. 

Making his case for Tobago to receive the allocation of $3.96 billion dollars from central government, Mr. Augustine said during his three-and-a-half-hour budget presentation on Monday that if granted the funding, spending priority will be given to areas like health, education and infrastructure. 

The THA’s proposed recurrent allocations were:

Health $879 million

Education $556 million

Infrastructure $389 million

Finance $199 million

Tourism $197 million

Food Security $197 million

Chief Secretary’s Office $193 million

Community Development $117 million

Settlements $52 million.

THA Legislature $27 million

Reactions to Chief Secretary Augustine’s Budget Presentation.

“Flowery words with empty promises”, is how THA Minority Leader Kelvon Morris described the Chief Secretary’s budget presentation, saying he expects no significant change in fiscal 2024/2025.

Meanwhile, PDP Leader Watson Duke said he’s comfortable with the amount requested by Mr. Augustine, though he noted that the rollout veered into areas that are not under the auspices of the THA, like security.