OPPOSITION Senator Vishnu Dhanpaul is warning of a looming $9 billion deficit in the upcoming national budget, citing troubling fiscal trends and a lack of sustainable revenue measures.

He made the projection during an interview at Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles's back-to-school drive, on Anglican Street at the Arima Community Centre.

Dhanpaul, responding to questions about his forecast and the $9 billion figure, said, “I just left finance (ministry),” suggesting his figures were grounded in up-to-date assessments of government revenue and expenditure plans.