by Nisha Paul

• Government sought parliamentary approval for EC$310,921,633 supplemental appropriation
• Funds needed for implementation of priority projects and to cater for new challenges
• Largest portion earmarked for design-finance-build arrangement

Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs Tevin Andrews has challenged calls for a commission of inquiry into the government’s Hurricane Beryl recovery spending, declaring that he has “absolutely nothing to hide” as Parliament considers an additional EC$20 million to continue recovery efforts.

“If anybody wants to bring on any commission of inquiry or any inquiry at all, bring it on. I’m ready because I have absolutely nothing to hide,” Andrews told the Lower House of Parliament on Wednesday.

His comments came as the government sought parliamentary approval for an EC$310,921,633 supplemental appropriation, with the request coming against the backdrop of questions about Beryl-related expenditure and Grenada’s wider fiscal position.

Minister for Finance Dennis Cornwall, who presented the bill, stated that the additional funds are needed to accelerate the implementation of priority projects, cater for new challenges that emerged after the 2026 Budget, complete Hurricane Beryl recovery efforts and provide targeted support for homes and communities. The largest portion of the supplemental appropriation, EC$161 million, is earmarked for a design-finance-build arrangement.

Cornwall said financing is expected to come from approximately “EC$3.6 million in grants, EC$29.8 million in loans and EC$277.5 million in local financing.”

The supplemental budget will also fund the purchase of land adjacent to the Hall of Justice project site at Mt Wheldale to establish the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority. The additional Beryl funding came under scrutiny from Opposition parliamentarian Dr Keith Mitchell, who questioned the government’s continued expenditure more than 2 years after Hurricane Beryl.

Dr Mitchell pointed out that the government has spent EC$211.3 million in relation to the hurricane to date, noting that the figure “does not include EC$28 million allocated for 2026 or the additional EC$20 million now being requested.”

He argued that the figures raise questions about whether the 2026 Beryl allocation is already being spent. He also pointed to previous statements from government ministers that “Beryl-related spending would have ended in June 2025,” and called for an explanation of the current status of the recovery programme. In light of this and other concerns, Dr Mitchell further suggested that a “commission of inquiry” should be initiated to “examine the government’s expenditure and provide accountability.”

Andrews, however, defended the government’s recovery programme, particularly its work in Carriacou and Petite Martinique, noting that within 2 years, the government has built, or has under construction, “159 Build Back Better homes.” He said, “255 families have received labour assistance, while close to 4,000 homeowners have received assistance with building materials.”

“More than 100 people,” he added, “have benefited from rental assistance.”

Andrews said the recovery spending is also helping to stimulate the economies of Carriacou and Petite Martinique by creating business for “local hardware owners, contractors, truckmen, machine operators, boatmen and boat owners.”

He said expert assessments indicate that “more than EC$600 million is required to rebuild Carriacou and Petite Martinique and the northern part of Grenada.”

Against that backdrop, the Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs said the “additional EC$20 million is necessary to continue the recovery efforts.” He also rejected allegations that fishermen, farmers and other fisherfolk in Carriacou and Petite Martinique did not receive adequate support following the hurricane.

According to Andrews, the government spent “way above” the EC$11.6 million payout by the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) for the affected sectors.

The supplemental appropriation also includes an additional EC$2 million, which the government minister explained will go towards “continued construction of the main road in Petite Martinique and road infrastructure throughout Carriacou.”

A further allocation of EC$200,000 is being allocated to improve the Limlair Farm, and an allocation for the Hillsborough Enhancement Project, which he explained is intended to modernise and “improve the aesthetics and overall development of the town.”

The EC$310.9 million supplemental request comes against the backdrop of Grenada’s record EC$1.96 billion 2026 Budget, which projects an overall deficit of EC$309.8 million, or about 7.3% of GDP.

Dr Mitchell argued that the scale of the supplemental request raises broader concerns about the government’s fiscal position. “Now we are asking for a supplemental of literally EC$310-plus million…based on the information provided, I could only project that Grenada is facing serious financial problems in meeting the responsibilities of managing the affairs of the country.”

He contrasted the current fiscal position with what he described as a surplus of more than EC$500 million left by the previous administration, which he led. He further argued that recurrent expenditure and revenue had previously been matched, allowing the country to avoid deficit financing.

The proposed appropriation now puts the government’s spending priorities, Hurricane Beryl recovery expenditure and financing arrangements under renewed scrutiny as Parliament considers the additional funding.

The Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2026 was approved in the Lower House and will be tabled in the Upper House of Parliament in the coming days.

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