THA gets approval to continue development programmes

A motion for Tobago House of Assembly’s Legislature to approve policy measures and plans by the Executive Council to manage THA financial resources to continue development plans and mitigate challenges to the national economy was passed at last Thursday’s plenary at the Chamber, Jerningham Street, Scarborough.

The motion, proposed by Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Joel Jack, also called for “all Tobagonians, in this critical period, be encouraged to maximise productivity, service excellence and contribute to economic resilience as we seek to restore Tobago and Trinidad and Tobago to a path of sustained economic growth.”

In his contribution to debate on the motion, Jack said adjustments for priority projects were necessary given the allocation to the THA by central government. The THA was allocated $2.1936 billion (4.34 percent) of the national budget.

Jack said high priority is being given to projects which have already been approved, those for which contractual obligations already exist and others for tenders have already been invited or received by the THA, those for which pre-investment” activities have been completed

and projects likely to have a positive impact on employment, economic diversification, the environment and capital projects that are revenue generating.”

He listed projects approved for priority treatment by the Executive Council as:

Provision for the Unemployment Relief Programme - $45 million,

Community-based Environmental Protection Programme (CEPEP) - $20 million

Studley Park quarry restructuring

Milford Road bridges, the Plymouth/ Arnos Vale road, the Orange Hill Road, the L’Anse Fourmi/Charlottesville Road, and the Roxborough/Bloody Bay Road

The Windward Road special development programme

The Coastal Zone Protection programme

The Charlottesville and the Adventure mini malls

The Cove Data Centre

The Tobago Tourism Agency.

Jack also noted focus would be placed on tourism sites and attractions, agricultural access roads, renovation of the old Scarborough market, upgrade of the old Belle Garden Community centre, constructions of

health centres, Courland Development Phase 2, the Scarborough Enhancement Program and the Enterprise Assistance Programme.