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De Nobriga Challenges PM’s Funding Claims, Says PNM Communities Are Being Denied Development Money Opposition MP Symon de Nobriga has challenged Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar over her defence of the 2027 Budget allocations to municipal corporations, accusing her of using overall expenditure figures to conceal significant cuts to funding for community development and essential services. The Prime Minister recently argued that the seven PNM-controlled corporations were allocated approximately $1.29 billion, compared with $799 million for the seven UNC-controlled corporations, a difference of roughly $490 million. However, in a Facebook video, de Nobriga argued that these figures fail to distinguish between money allocated for salaries and wages and funding available for actual work within communities. He explained that corporations receive funding through development programmes for community projects and recurrent expenditure covering wages, operating expenses, maintenance and other day-to-day services. According to de Nobriga, increases in salary allocations do not necessarily translate into improved services, particularly when funding for equipment, contractors, road repairs, drain maintenance and garbage collection is reduced. Pointing to the 2027 development estimates, he highlighted that the seven PNM-controlled corporations received a combined allocation of approximately $31.62 million, compared with $187.4 million for the seven UNC-controlled corporations, almost six times as much. He noted that Port of Spain was allocated $2.6 million and San Fernando $3.8 million, while Chaguanas received $37.9 million and Penal/Debe $38.2 million. Each of those two UNC-controlled corporations received more development funding individually than all seven PNM-controlled corporations combined. De Nobriga also alleged reductions in garbage collection allocations for Port of Spain, San Fernando, Diego Martin and Tunapuna/Piarco, while Chaguanas and Sangre Grande received increases. On road maintenance, he cited a reduction of $382,000 for Diego Martin compared with an increase of $500,000 for Siparia. He questioned whether the Prime Minister was deliberately misleading the population, misunderstood how municipal allocations operate or had been misinformed by her Local Government Minister. De Nobriga also challenged allegations of waste, ghost workers and inflated contracts, calling on the Government to produce evidence and disclose the findings of any audits initiated in 2025. "At some point you either put up or you shut up," he declared. He criticised the Prime Minister's reported remarks suggesting that residents of PNM-controlled corporations should accept the situation, arguing that taxpayers deserve public services regardless of their political affiliations. The published development estimates confirm a substantial difference in allocations between PNM- and UNC-controlled corporations. However, the figures alone do not establish whether the disparity resulted from political discrimination, differences in project requirements or other budgetary considerations. De Nobriga maintained that the Government owes citizens a clear explanation of how the allocations were determined. He urged residents of affected municipalities to speak out, insisting that fair access to public funding should not depend on which political party controls their local government corporation. Watch the original video on Facebook Article and image source: facebook.com
De Nobriga Challenges PM’s Funding Claims, Says PNM Communities Are Being Denied Development Money
Opposition MP Symon de Nobriga has challenged Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar over her defence of the 2027 Budget allocations to municipal corporations, accusing her of using overall expenditure figures to conceal significant cuts to funding for community development and essential services.
The Prime Minister recently argued that the seven PNM-controlled corporations were allocated approximately $1.29 billion, compared with $799 million for the seven UNC-controlled corporations, a difference of roughly $490 million.
However, in a Facebook video, de Nobriga argued that these figures fail to distinguish between money allocated for salaries and wages and funding available for actual work within communities.
He explained that corporations receive funding through development programmes for community projects and recurrent expenditure covering wages, operating expenses, maintenance and other day-to-day services.
According to de Nobriga, increases in salary allocations do not necessarily translate into improved services, particularly when funding for equipment, contractors, road repairs, drain maintenance and garbage collection is reduced.
Pointing to the 2027 development estimates, he highlighted that the seven PNM-controlled corporations received a combined allocation of approximately $31.62 million, compared with $187.4 million for the seven UNC-controlled corporations, almost six times as much.
He noted that Port of Spain was allocated $2.6 million and San Fernando $3.8 million, while Chaguanas received $37.9 million and Penal/Debe $38.2 million. Each of those two UNC-controlled corporations received more development funding individually than all seven PNM-controlled corporations combined.
De Nobriga also alleged reductions in garbage collection allocations for Port of Spain, San Fernando, Diego Martin and Tunapuna/Piarco, while Chaguanas and Sangre Grande received increases.
On road maintenance, he cited a reduction of $382,000 for Diego Martin compared with an increase of $500,000 for Siparia.
He questioned whether the Prime Minister was deliberately misleading the population, misunderstood how municipal allocations operate or had been misinformed by her Local Government Minister.
De Nobriga also challenged allegations of waste, ghost workers and inflated contracts, calling on the Government to produce evidence and disclose the findings of any audits initiated in 2025.
“At some point you either put up or you shut up,” he declared.
He criticised the Prime Minister’s reported remarks suggesting that residents of PNM-controlled corporations should accept the situation, arguing that taxpayers deserve public services regardless of their political affiliations.
The published development estimates confirm a substantial difference in allocations between PNM- and UNC-controlled corporations. However, the figures alone do not establish whether the disparity resulted from political discrimination, differences in project requirements or other budgetary considerations.
De Nobriga maintained that the Government owes citizens a clear explanation of how the allocations were determined.
He urged residents of affected municipalities to speak out, insisting that fair access to public funding should not depend on which political party controls their local government corporation.
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