The Promise Tracker

EU Tax Blacklist Removal by February 2026

Trinidad and Tobago was officially removed from the EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions on February 17, 2026. No reversal or re-listing has occurred. T&T remains compliant with all agreed international standards.

“We expect removal from the EU list by February 2026”

250 IRD Officers Recruited by February 2026

Budget confirmed recruitment of 250+ officers across audit, tax, and ICT functions, with entry-level posts to be filled by February 2026. Contract positions were advertised on IRD jobs page from November 2025. No public confirmation of how many officers were actually hired. State Counsel I vacancy for IRD posted with September 28, 2026 closing date, suggesting ongoing recruitment.

POSGH Central Block Operationalised by March 2026

The Port of Spain General Hospital Central Block was to be operationalised by March 2026. Deadline missed after a broken pipeline flooded the electrical bus duct system in January. Building was ceremonially commissioned on June 30, 2026, three months late. Health Ministry took possession of the facility but no opening date has been set. PM says team working to get it 'up and running once and for all.' Still not open to patients as of October 2026.

“The POSGH Central Block will be operationalised by March 2026”

$1 Billion NIF Bond by Q2 2026

NIF II Bond for TT$1 billion backed by 21% of government's First Citizens shareholding (~TT$2B value). Q2 FY2026 issuance window (January-March 2026) closed with no launch. Finance Minister referenced 'NIF Bond 3 in September 2026' at mid-year review, but no evidence of September launch found. Promise remains unfulfilled.

Tobago Airport Terminal Opening

ANR Robinson International Airport new terminal (25,500 sq m, two-storey) fully certified for operations including LEED certifications. All major systems commissioned. Terminal handed over by NIDCO to Airports Authority in June 2026. Chief Secretary Augustine confirmed opening before October 2026, in time for Tobago Carnival (October 30-November 1). Transport Minister Zakour confirmed opening date identified.

“The airport could open in time for Tobago Carnival”

Police Body Camera Programme

Only ~100 body cameras operational within TTPS as of September 2026. Approximately 1,000 cameras acquired earlier cannot be used operationally. Previous $24.9M contract with Diamond Systems/Huawei scrapped. Budget 2026 allocated $20M for 3,120 new cameras. EOI issued with July 22, 2026 deadline. Formal bidding process to follow under procurement legislation.

Mosquito Creek Highway Rebuild by March 2026

Mosquito Creek section collapsed January 2023. NIDCO commenced stabilisation works March 2025 using lightweight materials (pumice fill, Geofoam). March 2026 deadline missed. Road section repaired, paved, and reopened to traffic approximately four years after collapse. Finishing works (electrical, road markings) being completed.

Hilton Trinidad Refurbishment

Government averted Hilton's September 18 exit by acquiring all shares of Hilton International Trinidad Limited under a Share Purchase Agreement (September 4, 2026). State retains hotel ownership while Hilton continues managing operations under a six-month extension. Over 300 workers' jobs preserved. $400M renovation suite still needed. Long-term management arrangement being negotiated.

CAL Audited Financial Statements Published

Significant progress in clearing audit backlog. CAL completed audited financial statements for 2017, 2018 and 2019 (announced September 2026). 2020 audit targeted for completion by end of October 2026, with 2021-2025 on schedule. Previously, only the 2016 audit had been filed — nine years late with a qualified KPMG opinion revealing $2.175B accumulated deficit.

“The new board will ensure audited financials are brought up to date”

Nurse Shortage Resolution

Crisis significantly worsened. TTNNA implemented 'one nurse for six patients' ratio as second phase of protest action after thousands marched through Port of Spain. Nurses operating on 2013 salaries — 13 years stagnant. Multiple health facilities forced to close due to insufficient staff. ~1,800 vacancies across all RHAs. Budget funded only ~400 additional nurses. Deadline missed with no resolution.

HDC Squatter Regularisation

Regularisation on hold since Housing Minister Lee publicly contradicted Chairman Khan in January 2026. $3.4B HDC procurement programme for 3,700+ units cancelled June 17 after OPR halted process. HDC intensifying evictions to recover $241.1M in unpaid rent. 180,000+ applicants on waiting list. Government attention shifted to procurement controversy.

Sangre Grande Hospital Commissioned This Fiscal Year

The 106-bed Sangre Grande Hospital Campus was handed over and opened in approximately April 2024, under the prior PNM administration. UDeCOTT lists the project as delivered. Hospital continues to operate normally under the Eastern Regional Health Authority.

“The Sangre Grande Hospital will be commissioned this fiscal year”

10% Public Sector Wage Increase

Agreement reached in November 2025 between CPO and PSA for 10% wage increase covering 2014-2016 and 2017-2019 periods. New salaries effective January 2026. However, $3.3B back pay remains deadlocked — PSA describes it as 'the first unsettled settlement in history.' Eight months since MoA signed with no resolution on arrears structure.

“Negotiations for a 10 percent increase will begin this fiscal year”

20,000 Government Jobs / 50,000 New Jobs Target

CEPEP/URP eliminated (10,400+ workers fired). 110,000 applied for 20,000 positions. Only 1,801 hired through National Recruitment Drive as of March 2026 — 9% of target. NPUPS added 1,600 temporary workers. Fiscal year deadline passed September 30 with target far from met. Phase 2 targeting private sector jobs never launched.

“The second phase will target 50,000 new jobs”

State-Sponsored REIT

A high-level technical committee to transfer state properties into a publicly listed REIT on the TTSE was announced. Fiscal year ended September 30, 2026 with no committee formation, no property identification, no listing timeline, and no REIT listing. Promise not delivered within the fiscal year.

Asset-Based Levy Yielding $575M Annually

The 0.25% levy on assets held by commercial banks (~$160B) and insurance companies (~$70B) became effective January 1, 2026. Levy is operational but the $575M annual revenue projection appears unlikely to be met — combined new levies (asset levy + electricity surcharge + others) generated only ~$224M through April 2026. Banks passing costs to customers despite government objections.

CEPEP/URP Replacement with Permanent Employment

CEPEP/URP eliminated (10,400+ workers fired June-September 2025). Only 1,801 hired through National Recruitment Drive of 20,000 promised. NPUPS launched with 1,600 temporary workers on short-term contracts — not permanent full-time jobs as promised. Minister confirmed no programme exists to absorb former CEPEP/URP workers. Fiscal year ended without promise being met.

Zero Tolerance on Crime

State of Emergency ended September 17, 2026 after 199 days and 5,767 arrests. Government did not seek further extension, instead pursuing a 'permanent legal framework.' Murders to September 10: 252 (vs 262 same period 2025). Decline achieved but entirely dependent on emergency powers that lasted 12+ of last 14 months. Sustainability of gains without SoE remains the central question.

Migrant Registration Framework Implementation

All three phases implemented: online registration (Jan 26 - Feb 25), in-person verification extended through May 2026, and card issuance (ongoing). 29,276 applications from 60+ nationalities. 23,342 Venezuelan nationals. Approved applicants receiving Migrant Registration Cards valid until December 31, 2026. No post-expiry framework announced.

Tobago Autonomy Legislation

Shaw Park Convention held August 10, 2026 with $10M budget to advance autonomy process. Political parties, NGOs, community groups invited. Professor Hamid Ghany leading special committee to draft autonomy bill. Augustine targets law giving Tobago right to self-determination by end of 2026. THA separately demanding Petroleum Resources Accord retaining 50% of oil/gas revenues from Tobago's EEZ.

Guaracara Refinery Restart

Tecnimont (Maire Group) awarded US$50M rehabilitation study in March 2026 via partnership with Patriotic Energies Services. Government separately in talks with Indian Oil Corporation for refinery restart under new commercial structure. Energy Minister targeting partial restart by end-2026. Study completion expected early 2027, followed by FEED and EPC contracts.

CAL Two-Year Turnaround

Two-year ultimatum for Caribbean Airlines to demonstrate a turnaround. Active restructuring underway: oversight transferred from Finance Ministry to Transport Ministry under Minister Zakour (April 2026). Aggressive route rationalisation cutting US$18.84M in unprofitable routes. Q1 2026 profitability up 66%. New acting CEO Varma Khillawan appointed April 14 but still no permanent CEO. TT$1.7B in accumulated losses linked to Air Jamaica operations.

“CAL has two years to demonstrate a clear turnaround”

Dragon Gas Project Advancement

Shell planning four-well drilling campaign at Dragon in Q2 2027. Post-Maduro transition government and eased US sanctions created more favourable environment. Broader February 2026 General Licences provide continued authorisation after Phase 1 licence expired. First gas pushed to late 2027-2028. BP separately signed MoU for Cocuina-Manakin cross-border field.

“The Government continues to explore all avenues to advance the Dragon Gas project”

Gas Production Recovery to 3.2 bcf/d by 2027

Gas production remains at approximately 2.5 bcf/d through H1 2026, still 0.7 bcf/d short of 3.2 target. Best upstream outlook in years with major projects sanctioned but none yet producing: BP Ginger (FID March 2025, drilling underway, first gas 2027), Shell Manatee (FID July 2024, fabrication at La Brea, first gas late 2027). Major production surge expected 2027-2028 when these projects deliver first gas.

“Natural gas production is projected to increase to 3.2 billion cubic feet per day by 2027”

Three New Desalination Plants

Plants promised for Mayaro (3M gpd), Moruga/Morne Diablo (3M gpd), and Charlotteville (0.5M gpd). WASA issued formal RFI (WTC 21/2026) in April 2026. Submissions closed May 20, 2026. Government supporting up to 50% of capital costs. IDB financing for Charlotteville plant. No contracts awarded or construction started.