Latest update January 30th, 2025 6:10 AM
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Budget debate…APNU asked 20% increase for public servants, doubling of old age pension
The main opposition, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), yesterday blamed government for
APNU’s Carl Greenidge
wasting five months that could have seen meaningful talks in relation to the budget and other critical issues.
Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge also decried the work of the Budget Committee which comprises Parliamentary parties which went nowhere and the Tax Reform body which is still to complete works.
During the debate yesterday, the APNU official also expressed that corruption and inefficiency have played a role in placing the country in the state it is.
“There is an urgent need to revamp and strengthen the Audit Office to improve oversight, with serious questions remaining, whether despite the huge budget, Guyana is getting value for its money.”
Greenidge urged for the introduction of legislation that will ensure that there is proper use of state resources.
The announcement in the $192.8B National Budget that $4B will go to the Guyana Power and Light Inc., while an additional $6B will go to bolster the Guyana Sugar Corporation which is in dire financial straits after failing again last year to meet its production targets, was also criticised.
Greenidge quoted several international reports which cited Guyana’s lowly position on economic freedom and other indicators.
The budget, he warned, should have taken into account world commodity prices, as these all have implications.
He urged moves to address the improvement of efficiently managing the administration and reducing “red tape”.
The Shadow Finance Minister also accused government of systematically destroying the public servants by increasing the number of contract workers, and paying them thousands of dollars more.
“The budget also does not address increasing the capacity of engineers, an area in which Guyana is badly lacking in,” Greenidge stated.
He likened Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh to “Alice in Wonderland”.
Regarding the proposed Marriott Hotel, Greenidge questioned the seeming absence of a feasibility study. He also raised questions on the cost of the Amaila Falls Hydro-Electric Project and the US$155M-plus CJIA expansion project.
“There should have been more tax relief measures in the budget and special tax exemption ones for senior citizens and vulnerable to spur development,” Greenidge emphasized.
The Berbice River Bridge was not spared, with the former Finance Minister urging for a reduction of the rates to cross, something which is causing Berbicians to suffer.
He also called for a 20% wage increase for public servants and doubling of the old age pension.
Greenidge also expressed concern about the National Insurance Scheme, noting that initially government had said that the scheme was in good shape. APNU, he said, will not be tolerant of a last-minute bid by government for a bailout and as such measures should be in place to start widening the scheme and making it more comprehensive to garner increased revenues.
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