Political Leader of the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) Farley Augustine is defending a promise to provide $500 a month for the first five years of life for every child born on the island once re-elected to office.
He was speaking at a campaign meeting in Mason Hall North/Moriah on Sunday night.
Mr. Augustine explained that the money is to provide support to families on the island.
“We want to move Tobago to the place where the police and the courthouse have no work to do because all our fathers are taking care of their children and it has no maintenance issues in any courthouse. But as a government, we are saying we’re giving you that as an additional layer of support.”
Additionally, Mr. Augustine revealed plans to set up a trust fund which will be accessed when the child reaches the age of 21 years.
“After you are born we put some monies down as a saving for you in a trust fund. You can’t withdraw it until you are 21. You can add to it, parents can add monies to it and that trust fund will grow over 21 years so you get a nice package around the age of 21 that will allow you to start a business, to begin your university career, to launch out in life and maybe you will just leave it and let it become a down payment for your new piece of land or house.”