Ministers Detail Government Spending Plans During Budget Hearings

Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen said the Government’s flood mitigation programme has reduced flooding nationwide and strengthened disaster preparedness. She told the Standing Finance Committee that more than 6,000 people have been trained through Community Emergency Response Teams, alongside simulation exercises, equipment upgrades and public awareness campaigns.

Minister of Land and Legal Affairs Saddam Hosein defended plans to sell the Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort and Hilton Trinidad, saying both properties need major investment after years of poor maintenance. He said the Hilton alone requires about $400 million in upgrades and blamed the former administration for failing to fund proposed refurbishments.

Health Minister Dr. Rishad Seecheran announced $2.707 million in new dental equipment for several Regional Health Authorities, including imaging systems, x-ray units, dental chairs and hand pieces. He also said dental interns will again receive a monthly $9,500 stipend to help cover University of the West Indies vocational training fees during their 12-month placement.

Defence Minister Wayne Sturge says the government is rebuilding the Defence Force through equipment upgrades and expansion to strengthen national security. He said the ministry is addressing long-standing shortages, including replacing a Coast Guard boat in Cedros that had been a seized court exhibit when the administration took office.

Khadijah Ameen said administrative changes have been made to improve security at municipal police stations after the death of a San Fernando municipal police officer earlier this year. She announced $2 million for the Municipal Training Facility and new equipment, vehicles, body cameras, wireless devices, printers and computers for all 14 stations and the Municipal Academy.

The government has allocated $10 million to create an Air Guard Drone Unit and upgrade the Police Service’s drone unit, aiming to boost crime prevention, traffic management, search and rescue, and emergency response. The move comes as prisons report more than 100 drone breach attempts this year, with smugglers using drones to drop contraband into facilities like Maximum Security Prison.