In
times of economic growth, infrastructure should be expanded. In times of economic
declines, infrastructure must be preserved; efficiently utilized and
maintained. The nation’s housing stock, buildings and general monuments, water
and electricity supplies, roads and bridges, and other miscellaneous items
needs urgent attention. Utilizing 20.40% of the nation’s total expenditure, as reported by the
office of the Auditor General 2017 and 20.33%
in the 2018 revised
estimates, while estimating 20.74%
for 2019 up by 4.36%, as published by
the Ministry of Finance, the Infrastructure Management category consist of
funds transferred to the Tobago House of
Assembly, the Ministries of Rural
Development and Local Government, Housing and Urban Development, Public
Utilities, and Works and Transport.
The
Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is a legislative
body, open to any adult residing locally and wishing to stand for election to
its 12 seats. A parliamentary model with elected members, the majority is led
by the Chief Secretary and the opposition is the minority leader. It also
includes four Councilors, three of whom are appointed in accordance with the
advice of the Chief Secretary and one on the advice of the minority leader; and
a Presiding Officer, who may or may not be an Assemblyman or a Councilor. The
Executive of THA is in control of its own budget, receives a statutorily set
allocation from the national budget and can earn or borrow additional funds
independently from that allocation. Appointed Secretaries of Divisions are
mandated to deliver, with oversight from the Central Administration, local
services:
- · Agriculture, Marine Affairs, Marketing and the Environment
- · Community Development and Culture
- · Education, Youth Affairs and Sport
- · Finance and Enterprise Development
- · Health and Social Services
- · Infrastructure and Public Utilities
- · Office of the Chief Secretary and Secretary of Public Administration, Information, State Lands and Energy Matters
- · Planning and Development
- · Settlements and Labour
- · Tourism and Transportation
The
THA, with 19.18% of
the Infrastructure Management budget, must communicate and implement plans to
their constituents, while permanent staffs work on budget submissions to the
central Government.
The
Ministry of Rural Development and Local
Government must prepare all regional corporations, borough and city
councils to fairly and transparently collect taxes and manage its service
delivery based on the Tobago House of assembly model; fully transformed and
modernized Local Government system that empowers and enhances quality of life
through service excellence:
- · Building and land development
- · Public health and sanitation
- · Community services
- · Roads, drains and infrastructure
- · Burial and cremation services
- · Information and education
The
mission, with 19.81%
of the Infrastructure Management funding, is to formulate policy, act as a
facilitator; coordinate and monitor the timely and efficient delivery of
services to stakeholders in an equitable and transparent manner. And through
its Community-based Environment Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP),
focus on environmental protection, enhancement and beautification in
communities.
The
Ministry of Housing and Urban
Development, with 12.64%
of the Infrastructure Management budget, must continue to build and maintain
affordable housing for all demographics via the Housing Development Corporation
(HDC). The ministry also engages the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad
and Tobago (UDeCOTT) to transform the structural landscape of communities
across the nation through its development portfolio, linking and surrounding
with other necessary facilities to build new communities, expand communities
into towns and towns into cities.
The
Ministry of Public Utilities, with 25.61% of the
Infrastructure Management budget, facilitates the effective delivery of
efficient, affordable and quality public utilities services through a
committed, resourceful team of professionals in close collaboration with all
stakeholders. It provides meteorological information and advice consistent with
international standards towards the pursuit of national, scientific, social,
economic and cultural goals and sustainable development. It is responsible for
the inspection and certification of electrical works. Directs and regulates the
fare distribution of electricity, water and the management of waste through its
allocation to and oversight of State Enterprises.
The
Ministry of Works and Transport, with
22.76% of the
Infrastructure Management funding, provides world class infrastructure and
transport that supports the development of a ‘united, resilient, productive,
innovative and prosperous’ nation; through a motivated team of employees
working in collaboration with local and international partners. With its PURE (Programme for Upgrading Roads
Efficiency) Unit, a specialized unit of which emerged out of a restructuring of
the Ministry’s Highway Division, its Drainage, Construction and other
Divisions, Transport which has the responsibility for all aspects of public
transportation by land, sea and air, and through State Enterprises and
Statutory Bodies, this ministry preserves the nation’s infrastructure. Noting
that, Tobago’s infrastructure works are carried out by the THA's Division of
Infrastructure and Public Utilities (DIPU).
Rationale
T.A.J
& Associates Company Limited
uses this occasion to comment on topics that have been covered, both academically
and by the mainstream media, to add its opinion and point out investment
opportunity, not to invoke any social action.
