Guyana’s commitment to fiscal responsibility must be demonstrated not only in law but also in practice

Jan 24, 2026 Letters

Dear Editor,

Monday, January 26,2026, is when the Guyana 2026 Budget will be presented to the National Assembly.

I write to draw attention to a matter of critical importance to Guyana’s fiscal discipline and public accountability: the treatment of unspent fiscal year annual budgetary balances allocated to state agencies -all belonging to tax payers.

Under Section 26 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA), all unspent funds at the end of the financial year must be returned to the Consolidated Fund. These funds should then be integrated into the following year’s budget, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and responsible management of public resources.

While the legal provision is clear, there remains a lack of public clarity on two key points:

Deadline for Return of Unspent Funds:

What is the specific deadline by which all state agencies must return unspent budgetary balances to the Consolidated Fund at the end of the fiscal year? Is this deadline consistently communicated and enforced?

Adherence to the Law:

Has this practice been unswervingly adhered to by all government ministries, departments, and agencies? Are there mechanisms in place to ensure compliance, and are there consequences for non-compliance?

Editor, the effective implementation of Section 26 of the FMAA is essential to prevent the hoarding of public funds, reduce the risk of wasteful spending, and ensure that resources are reallocated to national priorities in a transparent manner.

I hold the Government, through the Ministry of Finance, responsible to publicly clarify:

The official deadline date for the return of unspent funds.
Whether this official deadline date has been consistently followed across all agencies.
What steps are being taken to strengthen oversight and ensure full compliance with official deadline date as required by law.

Editor, Guyana’s commitment to fiscal responsibility must be demonstrated not only in law but also in practice. The Guyana tax paying public deserves assurance that every dollar of their taxes is being managed with the utmost integrity and efficiency and the return on their investment is both prudent and optimal.

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