Budget
“Empty, Lengthy, and Oppressive”: Finance Secretary Petal-Ann Roberts Criticizes 2025 National Budget
Finance secretary describes national budget presentation as empty, lengthy and oppressive
Scarborough, Tobago – October 1, 2024 – “Empty, lengthy, and oppressive toward the people of Tobago” is how Finance Secretary Petal-Ann Roberts described Monday’s budget presentation. Finance Minister Colm Imbert delivered a $59.7 billion budget in Parliament for fiscal 2025, which lasted five hours and fifteen minutes. Speaking at a press conference last night, Roberts expressed disappointment with the allocation given to Tobago.
Her strong criticism highlights a significant political and economic divide between the central government and the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) regarding the financial resources needed for the island’s development.
