There is truth in the saying those who don't hear will feel. The budget presented by the Finance Secretary of the THA is definitely indicative of a person in a responsible position that does not listen, understand and act in the interest of a nation that is seeing difficult revenue-earning times.
To think the THA, which manages Tobago affairs with a population of less than 75,000 people, can request a $5.3 billion budget in these times, is preposterous.
I believe the 2017 figures (Express, June 22, page 4) states that approximately $790 million is for recurrent expenditure for health and social services. I would love to see the further breakdown of that section and see how much money is allocated to social services.
It is said that the THA employs approximately 60 per cent of the Tobago workforce and many may well fall within this social net.
Education, youth affairs and sport another $550 million-plus. Another appropriate cover for handouts. Yet tourism and transportation expenditure are allowed a grand sum of $290-plus million as an allocation.
It is time the THA realises that tourism and such activities are what will get them out of this basket case of handouts. Handouts and giveaways are not the way to develop the island psyche or the productivity of a people. If the powers that be have foresight and fortitude, they would start developing opportunities for independent entrepreneurs and the tourism sector that Tobago is so well-placed to enhance. Instead, stop making Tobago into xenophobia heaven and taking them on a path of small mindedness and a non-productive path. The THA must stop trying to make people dependant on it; make them feel they are more worthy than handouts as paybacks.
Scott Rodriguez