Tobago West MP Joel Sampson has welcomed the allocation for the island, saying it signals the government’s recognition of Tobago’s unique place within the national landscape.
Speaking during debate on the Mid-Year Budget Review on Monday night, he said the additional funding will bring tangible benefits to Tobagonians, particularly teachers and students.
“The Tobago House of Assembly was in support of the budget and now is fully supporting the adjustment in Tobago’s allocation by $94 million. Mr Speaker, as we debate the work of the Minister of Finance in granting an additional $94 million to the Tobago House of Assembly in fiscal 2026, I join my colleague, Member for Tobago East, in thanking the Finance Minister and the Government, led by the Honourable Member from Siparia, for this added allocation. This Government has kept its promise to Tobago about giving a fair share.”
He added that under the UNC Government and the Farley Augustine-led Tobago House of Assembly, the island is now seeing meaningful progress, with residents beginning to feel the impact of new policies and programmes.
However, he used the opportunity to criticise former representatives for Tobago, accusing them of neglecting the island while in office.
“I realise, all of a sudden, they care about Tobago. They care about Tobago. You know, when they’re out of office, that is when they just care about Tobago. They were in office for 10 years. They had a THA administration, a PNM as well. But you know, they had the playbook. Whatever they give to them, we could live with that. That is them. We could live with that. And then my predecessor, I hear she mouth big all of a sudden. I don’t know where she come from. I buried she in a political grave long time.”