Nothing of substance, nothing new in budget

THE EDITOR: I am quite surprised by the budget presentation from Finance Minister Colm Imbert. I was expecting more election goodies and more giveaways.

Speaking of giveaways, my takeaway from the money allocated to renovate the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort in Tobago is ridiculous. Our taxpaying dollars are being used to upgrade that hotel for us to then sell? What is there to upgrade?

I can bet that the money form its sale will go to maintenance of golf courses and to build more townhouses for PNM friends. I hope I'm talking nonsense.

No increase in water and electricity rates? Ha! That means vote for the PNM and the increases will come after the election.

The Finance Minister allocates funds to build roads in Moruga and Sangre Grande. That sounds like strategic election goodies to sway the Toco/Sangre Grande and Moruga/Tableland voters. I hope the people are smarter than that.

The minister also allocated funds for ankle monitors, a great idea. And I know who should be the first to cut the ribbon at the launch.

I swear every budget this PNM government talks about buying vessels for the Coast Guard. What about the ones it already has? It makes no sense, we buy these vehicles and don't maintain them.

Same thing with the police service and Defence Force. The Defence Force had to rent maxis for the last Independence Day parade. Why not buy vehicles for them and allocate money for the maintenance of the vessels?

I am an idiot and they are the bright ones. Otherwise the budget was dead, nothing new, nothing of substance, nothing inspirational, nothing.

KENDELL KARAN

Chaguanas