Charles outlines 2020 priority projects

Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles has itemised the new projects that will be undertaken in the next fiscal year.

Charles made the revelation as he addressed members of the media last Wednesday following a post budget retreat where he met with Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Chief Administrator, Administrators, finance and accounting personnel, in addition to some project officers at the Mt Irvine Bay Resort.

The retreat followed the national budget presentation in Parliament on October 7

“We examined in greater detail those projects that are ongoing as well as the new projects that we would like to implement.

“We were allocated $231 million for development expenditure and we received a non-objection letter from the honourable Minister of Finance in respect of our intention to go on the bond market to secure alternative financing to the tune of $300 million. We are also... through the Ministry of Finance, in discussion with the CAF (Corporacion Andina de Fomento) lending agency, development bank of Latin America, to secure US$16 million in loan financing to assist us particularly with some of our coastal projects,” he said.

Charles identified the new projects to be undertaken by various Divisions and said all efforts will be made to complete existing ones.

Priority projects:

Division of Education, Innovation and Energy – University of Tobago; upgrade to existing tertiary institutions; completion of design for the Tobago School for the Deaf.

Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment – coastal intervention works; Scarborough multi-storey carpark; geo-technical study for Turpin bend phase 2.

Division of Settlements, Urban Renewal and Public Utilities – Adelphi Estate land development; Signal Hill housing development; public conveniences.

Division of Community Development, Enterprise Development and Labour – upgrade to three community centres: Charlotteville, Delaford and Scarborough.

Division of Finance and the Economy – Financial Complex upgrade; Enterprise Development Company

Division of Food Production, Forestry and Fisheries – continuation of access roads; irrigation works at Indian Walk; upgrades to packing house.

Division of Sport and Youth Affairs – indoor sporting facility; Goodwood pavilion; Shaw Park office reconstruction (sport section).

Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation – Scarborough beautification project; Parlatuvier staff quarters; construction of two lifeguard towers at Buccoo.

Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development – purchase of equipment for Scarborough General Hospital; upgrade to oncology centre; expansion and improvement to oncology centre; improvement of dialysis services.