As Trinidad’s new government settles in, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has announced plans to review and overhaul government spending by slashing what the cabinet considers unnecessary expenditures on everything from security details for high officials to advertising to funded property rentals.
In a terse social media posting this week, the prime minister said that state revenues that were previously allocated to opulence will be redirected to local infrastructure, schools, health care, and social security services and to improve security in the federation with Tobago, which has been recording in excess of 600 killings annually in recent years.
Persad Bissessar’s United National Congress (UNC) won the general elections over the People’s National Movement (PNM) on April 28, ending the party’s two consecutive terms in 2015. In doing so, the UNC added seven seats to its previous 19, while the PNM dropped to 13 from 22 from the 2020 polls.
“For far too long, your tax dollars have gone to waste on millions spent on ads, luxury vehicles, expensive rentals, and perks for a privileged few, unnecessary spending across government,” she said.
Repeating part of her remarks at her swearing-in earlier this month, the prime minister said particular emphasis will be placed on renting luxury vehicles and properties. She noted that some officials previously moved around in armored vehicles with backup escorts. Only those personnel deemed to be exposed to high security risks will be afforded such privileges.
“I have instructed the minister of homeland security to provide a list of all persons at present benefiting from state-funded security, both state security and private, being paid for by the state. I plan to redirect most of these resources towards the fight against crime, so many of these unnecessary security details will be cut out. And I have directed my own ministers, don’t ask for state-funded houses, please. The country is not so large that you need to have a house in Port of Spain paid for by taxpayers. There are people don’t even have a house, you want to have two – your own house and one in town. No!”
The prime minister has also asked for a list of officials living in state-funded homes, as she is determined to trim spending in this area. “Some might vex me, but I will stick firmly to that. And I’ll tell you why. Ministers have a housing allowance paid for by the state. If you want a house in town, go and pay your own rent.”
An assessment will also be done regarding maximum tax breaks on imported vehicles for parliamentarians and other high officials.
As ministers take up positions and receive briefings from senior staffers, details about their duties, including the three who will work in housing, were published this week in the official gazette.
