Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo is defending the Government’s TT$3.473 billion allocation for Tobago amid concerns raised by Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine.
Speaking on the T&T Today Morning Programme, Minister Tancoo assured the public that Tobago remains central to Government’s development plans and insisted that the island is poised for growth through tourism, agriculture, construction and energy development.
“I think Tobago is going to boom, not just as a tourism destination, but in terms of agriculture, in terms of construction activity, in terms of even their energy links, because within the waters ascribed to Tobago, we also have, I think it’s Calypso Field, we have energy also being developed there.”
The Minister also highlighted Tobago’s long-term development strategy, saying the island is already working from a roadmap that stretches beyond the end of this decade.
“Tobago has a master plan that they have been following for the last year, two years. They have been following an overall master plan that goes into 2030 and beyond. That master plan has them developing all the sectors of Tobago, particularly tourism, but also spinning off into other aspects.”
His comments follow remarks by Chief Secretary Farley Augustine on Tobago’s allocation in the 2026/2027 National Budget.
But Minister Tancoo sought to lower the temperature, saying Tobago’s leaders have a responsibility to advocate for the people they represent.
“My colleague from THA is representing his people as he must. It’s a difficult, challenging time across the country. The country is not in the best of positions right now. We are getting to where we want to go. And therefore, there’s a transition issue. I am sure that my colleagues in Tobago and elsewhere are all seeking the best interests for the people that they represent as they must and as they should. We remain friends, we remain colleagues, we remain committed to the best interests of Trinidad and Tobago. And obviously, there’s always going to be room for negotiations, always going to be room for conversations.”
The Minister also stressed that discussions with Tobago will continue.
“This is a family. Trinidad and Tobago is a family. The THA and us are related by blood, by relations, etc. And I think that there will continue to be space for conversations, discussions, and negotiations as we’re going forward. Last year, I can’t remember the figure off the top of my head, but I budgeted a certain figure for THA and for Tobago as a whole. They got more than that was projected in the budget. Who knows?”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has responded to concerns raised by Chief Secretary Farley Augustine over the island’s TT$3.473 billion allocation in the 2026/2027 National Budget.
Speaking at the opening of the East Terminal at the A.N.R. Robinson International Airport on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said she understands Tobago’s unique developmental needs and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the island’s progress.
“While the country continues to face fiscal challenges and we must make difficult decisions sometimes about allocating limited national resources, Tobago’s development remains an important national priority. It is also important to recognise that the THA’s direct budgetary allocation is not the only measure of the Central Government’s investment in Tobago. National expenditure on infrastructure, security, tourism, healthcare and other services also contribute meaningfully to the island’s development.”