00:00In defense of Tobago, opposition leader Penelope Beckles has criticized the finance minister's budget presentation, saying it shows a lack of regard for the sister aisle.
00:11The minister proudly announced that the A&R Robinson Airport will be fully operational in the second quarter of 2026, which is nine months after the date that the PNM has scheduled for the said operationalization.
00:25Let us be clear, this project was virtually complete before the UNC government.
00:34Beckles says while the airport terminal is just infrastructure, far more is needed to create an enabling tourism ecosystem.
00:43While the new minister spoke about the airport, he said nothing about airlines.
00:47There were no mention of Caribbean Airlines and its strategic routes, no mention of new partnerships, no plan for increased airlift, no destination marketing, no routing centers, and no international promotion of Tobago as a world-class destination.
01:03Equally troubling, the minister announced no initiative to attract a new international flagship hotel since they chased away sandals.
01:11She insists the opposition will always advocate for the truth about Tobago's development.
01:17What is being sold to the public is a record spend of over $3.7 billion, made up of 5% of the budget allocation, and an additional $763 million in the central government expenditure is quite frankly deceitful, deceptive, and dishonest.
01:36Beckles adds that under the UNC, Tobago actually lost $1 billion less.
01:45It was the people's national movement, both in Trinidad and Tobago, that voted to guarantee Tobago a minimum of 6.8% to the Tobago island.
01:56It was the UNC aided and abetted by their ally in Tobago, the current chief secretary, who derailed and rejected that constitution.
02:14Mr. Speaker, the result is that instead of receiving 6.8%, roughly $4 billion, Tobago is now getting only 5%, $2.96 billion.
02:29She also revealed troubling details about local projects.
02:33Over $300 million in development spend has been awarded to contractors outside of Tobago for works that were done in Tobago.
02:41The economic effects is devastating. Tobago contractors, who previously executed these services, now face cash flow crises, and banks are moving to foreclose on long-standing local foods.
02:56And perhaps the greatest insult, Beckles says, is the budget's complete silence on Tobago's autonomy.
03:03How could you be a national party and say not one word, not one line, and not one promise in a budget about the autonomy for Tobago?
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