With the Mid-Year Budget Review on the horizon, the Tobago House of Assembly is hoping for a few priorities to be considered.
Speaking to reporters, THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine highlighted several areas that he hopes the Minister of Finance will prioritise, including funding to begin construction of the Scarborough Secondary School, which he said is at risk of being lost to coastal erosion.
“I am insisting that we are going to start construction in this fiscal year, which means getting to the place of awarding a contract before the end of September.”
The second priority relates to advancing non-traditional sports on the island, along with providing for sports that currently do not have support.
“So, for example, I think greater provision needs to be made for cricket. We go around the island, almost every playing field is designated to football. I want to see some work done at the Dwight Yorke Stadium as well because that is critical for our athletes. Currently we don’t have any certified track on the island.”
The Chief Secretary also stated there is a need for funding to improve tourism infrastructure on the island.
“Because it is one thing to have a new airport onboarded, but what they coming to see?”
Staying with tourism, the Chief Secretary is anticipating announcements of additional direct flights with Caribbean Airlines.
“We actually are reviewing right now the agreements between Caribbean Airlines and the THA so we have those agreements in hand, we are reviewing those. In fact, we are doing a bit more than reviewing, the Secretary of Finance has already released the funds to treat with the marketing associated with onboarding those new flights.”
Chief Secretary Augustine did not disclose the destinations, noting that the public will be informed once the agreements are finalised.