Housing and Environment Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal made the announcement at his constituency office in debe Tuesday during a visit by vice-president of the IDB, Roberto Vellutini.
Moonilal said half of the money would go to programs to fight climate change, including the use of alternative sources of energy and and developing energy efficiency.
“We intend to set up a Climate Change Task Force established by the IDB to look at issues of energy efficiency, alternative energy, the technical areas on policy, legislation as well as creating an operational arm through the Ministry of the Environment for climate change,” Moonilal said.
He said the Government is committed to partnering with the IDB to sensitise the public on climate change and to develop programmes and projects to mitigate its effects.
He noted the country is moving rapidly to satisfy international obligations in environmental preservation, and become a leader in addressing climate change.
The minister also announced plans to raise subsidies for house repairs to $20,000 a year and to basic amenities into squatter communities. He made it clear that the money from the IDB will not be used to build new houses.
With reference to squatting, he said the Land Settlement Agency has plans to improve 20 to 30 squatter settlements in central and south Trinidad. Dr Allen Sammy, chairman of the agency, said nearly $140 million would be used to regularise more that 4,000 squatting families in close to 30 communities over a six-year period.
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