Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has described the 2027 national budget as “awesome”, declaring that her Government is delivering on its promises to the people of Trinidad and Tobago, unlike the former People’s National Movement (PNM) administration.
Speaking with the media before leaving the Red House, Port of Spain, on Monday, Persad-Bissessar said her Government was working to rebalance the distribution of the country’s resources to ensure that vulnerable citizens, including pensioners and persons with disabilities, received greater financial support.
She pointed to the $250 increase in social grants as one of the major measures announced by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, while also welcoming provisions aimed at improving the welfare of workers and attracting foreign direct investment to create jobs.
“I think we have demonstrated that we keep our promises in many respects,” the Prime Minister said.
“I am very excited and happy about promises made in terms of workers, with our workers’ agenda. Minister Tancoo would have outlined some of the monies we put in to satisfy [those commitments].
“We cannot do everything at the same time, but there is some good news for the workers of this country—PSA, NUGFW and many others the minister would have mentioned.
“So I say it was awesome, and we look forward to keeping the promises, with more to come,” she said.
Persad-Bissessar said the budget also outlined measures to attract foreign direct investment, which she expects will generate additional employment opportunities and stimulate economic activity.
Dismissing criticism from the Opposition, the Prime Minister took a swipe at the PNM, declaring that the party’s initials stood for “Promises Never Materialise”.
She maintained that Tancoo’s presentation demonstrated her administration’s commitment to honouring its manifesto pledges and delivering tangible benefits to citizens.
“In 18 months, I think we have achieved a lot of things in terms of promises that were made, promises kept. Our track record will speak,” she said.
In contrast, she accused the PNM of having a ten-year track record of “nothing”.
Petrotrin flame must burn again
Turning to the proposed reopening of the Guaracara refinery, Persad-Bissessar reaffirmed her Government’s commitment to restarting operations at the facility, which has remained closed since 2018.
She said a committee had been examining proposals for the refinery’s revival, with one of the options under consideration involving a phased reopening.
The Prime Minister lamented that the facility had been left sitting as “scrap iron” for years, despite its importance to the national economy and communities across Southern Trinidad.
She recalled driving past the refinery and seeing the flame that once symbolised a thriving industry, providing employment and economic opportunities for thousands of families.
“It was very painful to us that flame was extinguished, and we must never, ever forget. We must always remember who put out that flame down at Petrotrin,” she said.
Persad-Bissessar said the refinery’s closure had dealt a devastating blow to communities and businesses that depended on its operations.
She disclosed that the Government had received several expressions of interest from potential investors and reiterated that the latest proposal involved a phased reopening of the facility.
