MSJ: ‘Same old, same old’ budget does not provide hope

LEADER of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) David Abdulah says the 2020/2021 national budget “does not provide hope” for the people of TT.

He also says clarity is needed in several areas.

Abdulah had described the previous budget as an “election budget” disguised as a “papier-mache piñata” with sweets.

This time around, he said he heard a lot of talking, but not much detail on how the government intends to achieve some of its plans and claims.

Speaking with Newsday just after Finance Minister Colm Imbert concluded his budget presentation in Parliament, Abdulah said, “For people who are now unemployed, especially because of covid19, we didn’t hear enough about exactly how their situation is going to be dealt with. And so the kind of immediate needs people have were not addressed.

“So yes, he’s talking about housing projects that will create jobs and stuff, but those things are not going to happen right away. Even the investment in agriculture, it is not going to have an effect on people’s lives.”

Imbert announced that all NP gas stations will be put up for sale and privatised, with first preference for existing dealers.

Asked about this, Abdulah said, “How exactly is that going to work? That is of concern. So NP is going to sell all the gas stations – but it wasn’t clear about how NP is going to continue; what is its role in fuel sale…That is unfair. “

He added, “They’re hoping the energy sector is going to stimulate growth in the next two years. That is what they are banking on, and the other things are just short-term fixes.”

He described this as a “weak” approach, and said diversification of the economy should be prioritised.

“He started reading out a whole list of things. But he said not nearly enough on people who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic.

"I don’t think there was much fundamental change. They’re doing things at the margin. It’s just more of the same old thing.”