Various arms of the Ministry of National Security will benefit from significant allocations in the 2016 Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP), with the largest amount going to the T&T Police Service "to effectively being crime under control and to provide a safe and secure environment for all citizens."
In his budget presentation on Monday, Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced that $10.810 billion will be spent on National Security during the fiscal year. It is the largest allocation out of total projected revenue of $60.287 billion.
The PSIP, one of documents accompanying the actual budget presentation, highlights a programme of works over the next several months to upgrade the country's law enforcement infrastructure, including construction and upgrades to police stations, a $28 million investment in crime and violence reduction programmes in 22 high-risk communities across the country and construction of a correctional facility in Tobago.
In the case of the TTPS, $148.4 million has been allocated under the PSIP for various projects. Of this amount, $22.4 million is to be spent for improvement works at police stations; upgrade works at the Police Administration Building in Port-of-Spain; refurbishment of five floors at Riverside Plaza to create office spaces; and new facilities at the Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch.
In Tobago, there will be upgrades at the Scarborough Police Station to provide office accommodation for the Victim Support and Task Force Units and work will begin on improving the sewer system at the Moriah Police Station.
In addition, $100 million has been allocated for Phase II works for construction of eight police stations, including two in Tobago.
Under the heading of public safety and citizen security, $28 million is being invested in 22 communities, including Beetham Gardens, Laventille, San Fernando and Chaguanas, through the IDB-assisted Citizen Security Programme (CSP).
Among the initiatives to be implemented during the fiscal year is investment of youth friendly space to accommodate skills building and training programmes.
A Community Media Production Programme will provide basic skills in videography, camera operations and editing. In addition, domestic violence clinics will be established in 16 CSP communities.
There are also plans for an Injury Surveillance System to capture data on persons who sustained injuries from gun violence and sought treatment at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.
An investment of $407.2 million in the T&T Coast Guard will go into boosting border security, improving infrastructure at all bases and enhancing the country's naval assets. Of this amount, $358.7 million has been set aside to pay for 13 coast guard vessels–six have already been delivered and seven will be delivered in 2016.
Under the PSIP, $3 million will be provided for establishment of a Joint Border Protection Agency. The proposed agency will "ensure appropriate military assets are acquired, deployed and maintained to utilise information, integration and rapid response of all agencies to meet all external threats."
The T&T Air Guard has been allocated $126.7 million for maintenance and training support for the acquisition of four AW 139 Medium Twin Turbine Helicopters.
Key projects to be undertaken in the Prison Service with an allocation of $59.4 million include:
�2 Construction of a nursery at the Women's Prison
�2 Outfitting of the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre at Santa Rosa, Arima
�2 A close circuit television system for Maximum Security Prison
�2 Designs for construction of a new Remand Yard at Golden Grove
�2 Construction of a correctional facility at Hope, Tobago.
The $60 million allocated to the T&T Fire Service will be used mainly for construction work and outfitting of the recently opened Mayaro Fire Station. The work is due to be completed within the first quarter of fiscal 2016.