Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo says the budget allocation to the Ministry of Public Utilities will build on works started in the last fiscal period.
During the 2027 fiscal presentation in the Parliament on Monday, the Minister highlighted some notable achievements in the sector.
“For fiscal 2027, $60 billion is being proposed to continue this support. Mr Speaker, promise made, promise kept, and more to come.”
Minister Tancoo gave an overview of what the Ministry was able to accomplish in the last fiscal period.
“In fiscal 2026, we delivered 12 new and refurbished pipeline projects. More than 21 kilometres of mains and improved services for 66,840. New production wells promised and delivered at Carapal, Chatham and St Ann’s strengthened water securities for 24,064 persons.”
The commissioning of tank farms was another focal point.
“Seven tank farms were commissioned across the wider storage programme; more than 9,375 households are expected to benefit from greater resilience during water supply interruptions. Mr Speaker, WASA repaired 11,835 leaks between January and May of this year. In Tobago, refurbishment of two boosters at Bloody Bay were upgraded, while further refurbishments of the Hillsborough Dam spillway progressed for the benefit of approximately 15,000 residents.”
Minister Tancoo said more than 13,000 people received support under the Utilities Assistance Programme between May 2025 and June 2026, providing help with utility bills, water tanks and solar panels for low-income households beyond the economic reach of the electricity grid.
Additionally, he said that under the 35% rebate programme, over 137,000 customers received assistance between May 2025 and June 2026.