Trinidad and Tobago

by | Dec 31, 2008

Trinidad and Tobago’s score on the Open Budget Index shows that the government provides the public with minimal information on the central government’s budget and financial activities during the course of the budget year. This makes it difficult for citizens to hold government accountable for its management of the public’s money.

Trinidad and Tobago

by | Sep 8, 2015

Transparency (Open Budget Index) 34/100 

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago provides the public with minimal budget information.

Public Participation 27/100 

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is weak in providing the public with opportunities to engage in the budget process.

Budget Oversight  

By legislature 67/100

Budget oversight by the legislature in Trinidad and Tobago is adequate.

By auditor 75/100

Budget oversight by the supreme audit institution in Trinidad and Tobago is adequate.

Recommendations 

Improving Transparency

Trinidad and Tobago should prioritize the following actions to improve budget transparency:

  • Publish a Mid-Year Review.
  • Produce and publish a Pre-Budget Statement, Citizens Budget, In-Year Reports, and Year-End Report.
  • Increase the comprehensiveness of the Executive’s Budget Proposal by including more information on the classification of expenditures for future years and the classification of revenues for future years.
Improving Participation

Trinidad and Tobago should prioritize the following actions to improve budget participation:

  • Provide detailed feedback on how public perspectives have been captured and taken into account.
  • Hold legislative hearings on the budgets of specific ministries, departments, and agencies at which testimony from the public is heard.
  • Establish formal mechanisms for the public to assist the supreme audit institution to formulate its audit program and participate in audit investigations.
Improving Oversight

Trinidad and Tobago should prioritize the following actions to strengthen budget oversight:

  • Ensure the Executive’s Budget Proposal is provided to legislators at least three months before the start of the budget year.
  • In both law and practice, ensure the legislature is consulted prior to the virement of funds in the Enacted Budget and the spending of contingency funds that were not identified in the Enacted Budget.