Trinidad and Tobago Security Spending Breakdown: $3.7M on Detainee Food

SOME $3.7 million was spent on food for 178 people detained during the State of emergency (SoE), Defence Minister Wayne Sturge has said.

The Parliaments Standing Finance Committee (SFC) yesterday examined the $13.9 million in supplementary allocations for the Ministry of National Security.

On December 30, 2024, the former government led by then-prime minister Dr Keith Rowley declared a state of emergency, which was extended to mid-April 2025.

Former national security minister Marvin Gonzales noted that $3.7 million was allocated for food at institutions.

Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander clarified that this sum was for meals provided to detainees during the SoE period.

When questioned, Sturge responded: This $3.7 million is restricted for individuals detained, so it was for 178 detainees who were the subject of the state of emergency.

Gonzales enquired about money spent on food for officers, to which Sturge replied, The officers will be at a different line item$4 million.

The SFC also examined a supplementary allocation of $119.1 million for the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles queried the $25 million payment for body cameras.

Alexander said the money would cover the provision of 3,000 body cameras, noting that currently 970 cameras are in use by the TTPS.

Gonzales asked if this was part of an existing contractual arrangement with the service provider.

I am shocked though; I was of the opinion that you would have been giving me that information, Alexander responded, adding that the 3,000 cameras would be delivered before the end of the year.

Gonzales asked for the total contract cost of the programme, stating that Alexander need not be shocked by the questions.

You just left the ministry, Alexander replied, pointing out that for ten years, questions of this nature were not asked.

Gonzales also queried a line item concerning rent, lease, office accommodation, and storage.

Sturge explained this was for the rental of several buildings for the Police Service, noting that one is affiliated with the relatives of former government minister Faris Al-RawiAgra Court.

You dont have a list, but you know it is Faris Al-Rawi? Gonzales asked.

What I remember is Agra Court, Faris Al-Rawi, Sturge shot back.

Something is wrong with that? Gonzales asked, as House Speaker Jagdeo Singh interjected, saying he would not allow the question.

Wheres the list? 

Former finance minister Colm Imbert then demanded the list of all landlords, rental fees, and sums paid for vehicles and equipment.

Imbert also highlighted an allocation of $20 million for fuel and lubricantsa $10 million increase from the initially allocated amount.

Alexander stated that this was for the 1,626 vehicles that required fuel and lubricants in order to remain operational for patrol duties.

Imbert asked whether the $10 million in supplementary funding was for the existing fleet or whether it was intended to expand the fleet, resulting in increased fuel consumption.

Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo explained that $10 million had been originally budgeted, and an additional $10 million was now being sought.

Imbert insisted that Alexander answer the question directly, to which the minister eventually replied that it was for both the existing fleet and additional vehicles.

Opposition MP Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly queried a $5 million line item for food at institutions.

Sturge responded that this allocation was for meals provided to the Guard and Emergency Branch and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

Earlier, the SFC reviewed a supplementary allocation of $32.7 million for the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).

Tancoo noted that the Tobago House of Assembly had initially received a total combined allocation of $3.4 billion, representing 5.85 per cent of the overall funding for 2025.

The committee also approved an additional $1 million for the Office of the President.

Imbert remarked that Tancoo had previously stated the economy had crashed, and questioned how the new Government planned to finance the supplementary allocations.

Tancoo replied that Imbert would have to wait until the mid-year review for answers, while assuring that the Government would source the necessary funds to meet its expenses.

The minister explained that the Presidents Office had been compelled to reallocate funds from several heads to cover costs, including the redesign of the coat of arms, purchasing medals for national awards, and paying salaries for contract and short-term staff.