LAST WEEK, I received a copy of the package of Budget Recommendations submitted to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago by the San Juan Business Association (SJBA) for Fiscal 2006 – 2007.

The document was comprehensive, dealing with 12 different areas of concern to business and the wider community.

The theme of the package was “Achieving Our Target.”

The proposals were wide ranging and began with a recommendation for the government to adopt a Code of Fiscal Responsibility which focuses on transparency, stability, responsibility, fairness and efficiency in fiscal planning.

The document also suggested that the government supplements the Appropriations Bill and Budget Statement with an Economic and Strategy Report published before the reading of the budget.

This would lend for greater participation by civil society in policy formulation.

The Association also called for a revamping of the Witness Protection Programme, random drug testing for members of the protective services and the introduction of legislation for the admission of new technology e.g. evidence gathered from closed circuit television into the judicial process.

Another novel recommendation was that of a joint venture between the insurance industry and the government for the purpose of designing a policy that tailors to the needs of this special category of state agents.

The SJBA also paid particular attention to the health sector, pondering the reasons why the new national health insurance scheme is not yet to be implemented.

The Association also placed heavy emphasis on the development of a national policy to deal with alcoholism in the work place and its effects on productivity, punctuality and future earnings.

In terms of agriculture, the SJBA identified five areas of improving this sector:

* Boosting agricultural science, technology and application;
* Securing property rights and access to financing;
* Enhancing human capital through education and improved health;
* Introducing conflict prevention and dispute resolution to the sector; and
* Adequately compensating farmers in a timely fashion in times of natural disasters.

The Association recommends that government increases penalties with respect to illegal logging and mining and that the authorities work with contractors to ensure that rehabilitation programmes are implemented in said areas.

It also wants government to ensure that all sewerage and waste water receive the treatment necessary to protect the waters surrounding both islands.

In addition, it states that government should adhere to the precautionary principle with respect to environmental impact assessments. In matters of fiscal policy, the Association recommends the removal of the 40 per cent duty on all imported fruits not grown in Trinidad and Tobago and an increase in the exemption of Stamp Duties on properties from $250,000 to $750,000.

For the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to provide value for money, the Association is calling for the metering of all properties.

This way, consumers will pay for what they use! The document, spanning close to 20 pages, went into proposals dealing with the creation of a critical national infrastructure, an institution designed to manage disaster relief as a joint venture between the State and the private sector, but managed in large part by the latter.

A revision of the vagrancy laws was also proposed.

In the area of social services and poverty reduction, the SJBA suggests that there be a closer collaborative effort between the government and religious institutions in the delivery of support for those who need it.

A proposal was also included for the establishment of a grant for the provision of care for the elderly in a home environment rather than in a geriatric institution.

Rightly so, the Association states that these individuals must be trained and psychologically evaluated before being presented with a certificate to care for the elderly.

The Association took into account the tragedies perpetuated against children in the recent past and calls for an increase in the number of social workers within the Social Welfare Department.

Computerisation of this department is essential to the system keep-ing track of situations that are bordering on crucial to the survival of those who need the support of the state apparatus.

As far as the education system went, the SJBA once again recommended the nationwide introduction of an After School Programme and a Mentorship Programme.

These would provide an outlet for positive role models to influence the younger generation as they proceed into adulthood.

Another suggestion arising out of this document is that of the mandatory enrolment in Youth Training Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP) of those individuals between the ages of 14 and 21 who are either unemployed and or out of school. The proposals submitted by the SJBA were wide ranging.

I was told that a number of other issues were left out because they were dealt with in previous submissions to the government.

The next step is left up to the Administration.

Will they heed to some of these suggestions, or will they ignore the voices of those who represent the engine of growth in our society.