Give more to Social Protection!

Dec 10, 2016 News

– Opposition MP tells Finance Minister
People‘s Progressive Party, Member of Parliament (MP), Dr. Vindhya Persaud took the

PPP MP Dr. Vindhya Persaud

Government to task on Wednesday over several aspects of the 2017 budget which she described as “lacking vision and essentials for constructing a better Guyana”.
In her presentation, during the budgetary debates at Parliament, Dr. Persaud raised concerns about the allocation for the Ministries of Social Protection and Social Cohesion.
Some $90 Million of the 2017 budget was allocated for the Ministry of Social Cohesion, while the Ministry of Social Protection is said to have received some small percentage of the funds.
As such, the PPP Member of Parliament questioned the purpose of the $90 Million allocation for social cohesion.
“How will social cohesion be realized when it is consultant-driven?”
“The ministers need to get out of their towers and talk to people. It is not me who said it but Dr. David Hinds in a recent letter to the editor, who pointed out that the Social Cohesion Ministry is yet to prove its worth.”
Dr. Persaud therefore requested that a draft of the social cohesion plan be documented and distributed to Members of the House for validation before it is passed since “social cohesion is premised on trust.”
Turning her attention to the allocation for Social Protection Ministry, the Opposition Member of Parliament pleaded with the Finance Minister to give more to social protection.
“I beg the Minister of Finance, please give more to the Minister of Social Protection. I will never say that she is not doing work. l know she wants to do more . But how can she do anything when the ministry is starved of resources, both financial and human?”
Dr. Persaud stressed that without the necessary funds, the Minister of Social Protection will be unable to deliver on the plans and strategies which she spoke of during the last two budgets.
Under the 2017 budget, the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) is expected to benefit from the largest allocation for the Social Protection Ministry.
According to information posted on the Ministry of Finance website, the CPA will receive a $213 million boost in 2017.
The Finance Ministry outlined that the budgetary allocation represents payment for retention, completion of extension of head office – Childcare and Protection Agency and Provision for Drop-in-Centre in Sophia and other accommodation purposes.
In addition to the $213 million allocation, small amounts of monies were allocated for the acquisition of furniture, equipment and public transportations for the agency.
The second largest allocation for the Social Protection Ministry under this year’s budget is towards Policy Development and Administration under the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) Project.
The sum of $100 million dollars was allocated for SLED and other Policy Development Administration Project.
The money is expected to cover expenses for community-driven entrepreneurial projects and programmes; increased job opportunities and employment; improved access for training; enhanced skills and competency levels; and enhanced social and cultural cohesion. The project entails preparation of Social Protection Strategy and improved capacity for planning.
Last year, the Social Protection Ministry received a 42 percent hike in the budgetary allocation, taking it to $13 billion. Under that budget, Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence had expressed intention in revising key laws as it relates to family development in Guyana.
Lawrence had also expressed interest in ensuring equitable distribution for the benefits for all Guyanese as extracted from the Sustainable Development Goals.
There were also plans to improve the social services offered and expand its reach to vulnerable and far-flung communities.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News