The budget allocation for the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has decreased by $6.7 million for fiscal year 2017, following steady increases over the past three years.
The 2017 estimate of $17.5 million is the lowest since 2011 according to the Draft Estimates of Annual Expenditure. The allocation to the Office of the President in 2016 was $24,252,300.
The reduce figure comes as Government tries to balance spending with revenue amidst low oil prices and a reduction in tax revenue.
This decrease also follows two weeks of public scrutiny regarding expenditure relating to President Anthony Carmona’s Household.
At a press conference on Wednesday at the Office of the President, Carmona responded to questions about alleged purchases of wine, jewelry, the Auditor General’s report, the meeting with National Security Minister Edmund Dillon and the allegation that a close relative had been hired as a staff for the Office of the President.
He told reporters the purchase of wine with the President’s seal on the label resulted in savings for taxpayers and said Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley had approved of his meeting with the minister. Rowley has since denied these claims.
The draft estimates for 2017 also revealed a decrease in the allocation for Goods and Services in the Office of the President by $7.9 million, but showed an increase in the allocation for Major Equipment purchases by $1.1 million.
Hosting conferences, Seminars and Other Functions also decreased by $1.2 million to $500,000.
There was a $123,000 increase in the allocation under the heading Personnel Expenditure to $2,033,600. According to the draft estimates, the allocation for salaries and cost of living allowance increased by $25,000 to $810,000.
The cuts in expenditure also apply to Official Entertainment and the Overseas Travel, both of which saw significant decreases and stand at $1 million for 2017. Official Entertainment 2016 estimate was $2.2 million, while the estimate for Overseas Travel was $1.7 million.
President saves the State Millions
Only last week, the President said over the past three years since he assumed office, millions of dollars from the allocation to the President’s house had been returned to the national Treasury as a result of “prudent spending.”
He said in March 2013 the President’s budgetary allocation was $22,849,380 and of that amount, $2,350,769 was returned to the Treasury. In 2014 there was an allocation of $34,533,520 and of that amount, $9,540,566 was returned to the Treasury, while in 2015 the allocation to President's Office was $37,676,070 of that $12,718,756 was returned to the treasury.
ALLOCATION
The 98th Salary Review Commission Report made recommendations of a salary for the president of $64,270 per month and a Duty Allowance of $9,650 per month.
The report also includes a fleet of official motor vehicles, fully maintained by the State and manned by a complement of chauffeurs.
Housing
Official residences, fully furnished and maintained by the State with the necessary complement of household staff.
Where the official residence is not available for use by the President, and suitable alternative accommodation is not provided, an allowance of $28,000 per month.
Entertainment
An Entertainment Vote to meet official expenses incurred by the President.
Vacation Leave
Sixty (60) calendar days per annum
Overseas Travel Facilities
(i) Entitlement to passages (to the maximum value of two adult first class, or equivalent class, return airfares to the United Kingdom) annually for the President, spouse, if any, and dependent children, if any, under the age of eighteen.
(ii) Either provision of hotel accommodation and meals plus a Subsistence Allowance of US$150 per day, or an allowance of US$200 per day for accommodation plus a Subsistence Allowance of US$150 per day.
(iii) The cost of transportation to be met by the State.
(iv) One hotel suite to facilitate the holding of conferences or any minor entertainment.
(v) The cost of entertainment to be met by the State.
(vi) A Warm Clothing Allowance of US$900 per annum.
Telecommunication Facilities
The cost of Internet access and telephone expenses to be paid by the State.