A continuation of Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s response to the 2023/2024 national budget in the House of Representatives on October 6.
SWAHA budget recommendations
The SWAHA board and executive wish to suggest the following for consideration:
*Local Government and Social Development: Increased allocations to local government to facilitate effective infrastructural works and the efficient delivery of essential services to all communities. Increased engagement with NGOs/NPOs for social development programmes.
* Crime: Focus on developing a crime action plan to reduce serious crimes, including the introduction of nationwide CCTVs, drones to patrol borders, and automation of Port and Customs. Seek foreign consultants to plan and execute crime plans.
*VAT and other taxes and duties: removal of VAT on essential foods and everyday pharmacy items. Remove duties and taxes on baby food and products. Removal of seven per cent online purchase tax
*Education: GATE: Allow funding for programmes with a need or future need and do not limit people who have already benefited. Expansion and upgrade of the Textbook Management Programme to include greater availability of e-textbooks. Complete construction of unfinished primary, secondary, and ECCE schools.
*Legislative agenda: Revisit procurement legislation to promote transparency and accountability. Proclaim legislation on data privacy, data protection, cybersecurity, and full proclamation on the Electronic Transaction Act. Property tax legislation to be reviewed in the context of current unresolved issues.
*Taxation: Automation of BIR, including cashless payments and refunds. Revisit tiered approach to PAYE. Tax incentives for non-institutional investors (public) to increase participation in the securities market.
*Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: Public/private equity fund or venture capital fund. Expand Nedco funding. Government guarantee for MSME loans. Reintroduction of the Fair Share Programme. Further incentivise SME listing on the TTSE.
Recommendations from public consultations.
*Agriculture: Donny Rogers highlighted the pressing issues affecting crop reduction. Currently, Nestle is importing milk and poultry production has hit a low point. He has recommended for the Government to present a comprehensive plan for the agriculture sector.
*Crime: Selvonne Mitchell, from Montrose, suggested linking all existing residential and commercial security cameras in Chaguanas into an overarching security system that systematically covers areas, in collaboration with artificial intelligence, to identify criminals as they move from place to place.
*Culture: Banjela, the 2020 Calypso Young King, recommended establishment of partnerships with educational institutions to integrate cultural education into the curriculum, fostering a sense of cultural pride and identity from an early age.
*Education: Jasmine Ali recommended the completion of construction of the Preysal Primary School. Students of the Preysal Government Primary School currently ar
