The Siparia Corporation has been allocated the largest estimated development funding—$28.8 million—out of all the regional bodies in the draft estimates of Government’s 2013-2014 Development Programme. This and other information on expenditure for the various ministries and state agencies is contained in the document, one of 11 budget documents delivered by Finance Minister Larry Howai on Monday.
In draft estimates for development, National Security received the largest amount out of the $3.8 billion allocated in this category, $444.6 million. The Tobago House of Assembly received the second highest ($363.1 million) and Local Government the third, ($327.1 million). The revised estimates for 2014 was less than the 2013 revised estimates of $516 553,680. Development funding estimates for the corporations are:
• Port-of-Spain: $20 million.
• Arima: $17.4 million.
• San Fernando: $20.6 million.
• Point Fortin: $14 million.
• Chaguanas: $20 million.
• Diego Martin: $20.4 million.
• San Juan: $18 million.
• Tunapuna/Piarco: $25 million.
• Sangre Grande: $23 million.
• Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo: $26 million.
• Mayaro: $21 million.
• Siparia: $28.8 million.
• Penal/Debe: $23 million.
• Princes Town: $20 million.
The Police Service, which has its own category in these particular draft estimates, received $116.4 million for development programme, less than its 2013 estimate of $146.6 million. National security development estimates include $21 million for purchase of Coast Guard vessels, $25 million for fast patrol boats (a new item) and a $37 million improvement plan for Camp Ogden. The cost of the CCTV initiative is $$210.5 million for 2014. The 2013 estimate was $387 million.
The $25 million citizen security programme will be funded largely by the IDB ($17.5 million) and Government ($7.5 million). An estimated $10 million goes to development of the maximum security prison. Re-organisation of WASA, listed as a new project, carries an estimated allocation of $20 million. Replacement of pipes and leaking mains is earmarked for $13 million in estimated funding.
Full study pay leave for teachers was allocated an estimated $38 million. Some $9.2 million is also slated for arrears on scholarships and $50 million is earmarked for a national adaptation strategy for the sugar industry. Nothing has been allocated for the “construction of Prime Minister’s residence and establishment of the PM’s office in Tobago,” though both were listed in the document. Some $500,000 was estimated over 2012-2013 for the former and $500,000 in 2012 towards the latter.
Also estimated
• Construction of an official residence for the Chief Justice: $2 million.
• Accommodation for Anti-Corruption Bureau: $1 million.
• Retrofitting Tower D for Integrity Commission: $500,000.
• New THA item renovation for the Chief Secretary’s residence: $300,000.
• 100 new buses: $20 million.
• Equal Opportunity Commission facility: $1.5 million.
• New Government Printery relocation/outfitting: $5.1 million
• Equipping Parliament security unit: $1 million
• Electronic (ankle bracelet ) monitoring programme: $7 million
• Squatter settlements regularisation: $46 million
• UWI South Campus: $175 million.
• Renal dialysis programmes: $25 million.
• Hospitals, health centres facilities: $40 million.
• New project restoration/redesign of Maracas beach facility: $20 million.
• HIV/Aids co-ordinating programme: $4 million.
• Development centre for challenged people: $9 million.
• New project to prepare architectural designs for Planning/Sustainable tower: $500,000.
• Chaguaramas boardwalk phase 2: $7 million.