Finance Minister Larry Howai is reviewing T&T’s finances in order to find more money for Carnival activities due to a $150 million oversight made by Culture Minister Lincoln Douglas. Howai met with Douglas and National Carnival Commission (NCC) boss Lorraine Pouchet late into Tuesday and again last night to discuss avenues to fix the $150 million financial hole in Douglas’ budget, as the ministry now cannot meet some of its obligations to some Carnival stakeholders.
The T&T Guardian understands that when Douglas initially submitted his budget allocation figures to Howai before the presentation of the 2015 budget, he neglected to include a $150 million Carnival-related debt incurred by the NCC in 2013. As such, when his ministry was allocated its $314 million budget for Carnival 2015 there was a shortfall after the NCC obligation was met. This sent Douglas back to Cabinet last week seeking $43 million more to meet obligations.
After Tuesday’s meeting, the T&T Guardian understands Howai sent Douglas and Pouchet to renegotiate with Carnival contractors in an effort to reduce the amount owed by the NCC. The two were to report back to Howai yesterday with the reduced figures before any subvention could be taken back to Cabinet for approval. While Douglas issued a media release yesterday denying he had approached Cabinet last week for additional money for Carnival, Howai himself confirmed Douglas did make the request.
Replies
LYING LIPS. Years ago , there was a CALYPSO with the THEME "The Weatherman lying "
I wonder who is in this 150 MILLION DOLLARS pact.?
Culture Minister Douglas $150 mil oversight is a real sad joke in box drain country. lmao .
Greetings Bugs.
A thief don't like to see a thief with a bag.
SCAMMER ALERT!!!
That's is hitting the nail on the head Cecil. Thanks for the heads-up. This fellas not making joke. Professional gangstas in the government. $150 million!! Wow...
bugs
Bugs, them fellas write off millions like nothing, if Diaz didn't ask for that extra $6mill the minister would not have realize that he was $150mill short. To quote you Bro. just another day in gangster paradise. LMAO
Kelvin scoon, A $150 mill. joke.
This is a joke RIGHT?
Kelvin, yea this must be a joke. How are you still working on 2015 budget in 2015? How do forget you owed money from 2013 to the tune of 150 million? And how does 43 million cover 150 million?
I guess there going to be a week of "Pool" activities in the Greens to cover this one.
bugs