THA to borrow money for Scarborough school project

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis said construction of the long-awaited Scarborough Secondary School should begin in this fiscal year.

He made the announcement on Saturday during a news conference at the Blue Waters Inn, Speyside.

The briefing culminated a two-day retreat in which the THA’s executive council sought to reprioritise its agenda after the October 5 budget.

In the presentation, Tobago got $2.134 billion to manage its affairs, some $149 million less than last year’s allocation.

Of the sum, some $1.916 billion was allocated for recurrent expenditure while $200 million was set aside for capital expenditure.

Dennis said the new Scarborough Secondary is among several projects to be constructed despite the significant shortfall in allocation.

He said the first order of business will be to purchase the land for the project.

“Once the land is purchased, we will then go ahead to do the geo-technical surveys and all the necessary planning and designs.”

Dennis said the assembly intends to approach the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to fund the project, which is expected to cost between $150 and $200 million.

“We will be seeking an alternative way to finance that particular project as we have done with the $300 million bond, that is expected to assist us with funding some of our projects as well as,” he said.

Dennis revealed the assembly will soon begin renovations to Manta Lodge, Speyside.

He said work on the Bacolet Indoor Sporting Facility, Moriah Health Centre and Roxborough Hospital will also be completed in this fiscal year.

Dennis, who is also the Secretary Tourism, Culture and Transportation, said some of the island’s tourist attractions will also be developed alongside the creation of several new sites.

The Chief Secretary said the assembly was forced to make some drastic adjustments to its recurrent expenditure – in some cases as much as 8.5 per cent.

Nevertheless, he said Tobagonians affected by the covid19 restrictions over the past few months will continue to receive financial support, at least up until December.

“We have made a decision to continue to provide that support to people in Tobago, at least up to the month of December, in the first instance.

“So, we will continue with the rental support arrangement. We will continue with the income support arrangements to those who are so in need of it and we will continue in our grant support to our businesses here on the island.”