Teixeira hails $1.558T budget as people-focused

Jan 28, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has moved to strongly defend its record-breaking $1.558 trillion Budget 2026, with Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira describing it as the largest in Guyana’s history and a “people-centred” blueprint aimed at transforming livelihoods while avoiding the imposition of new taxes.

The position was outlined in a statement issued by Teixeira, following the presentation of the national budget in the National Assembly on Monday. According to Teixeira, the massive spending plan is fully financed and reflects what she called the administration’s “unwavering commitment” to building a modern, inclusive Guyana. She said Budget 2026 is intended to place citizens at the centre of development by expanding household support, strengthening social services, ramping up infrastructure investment and protecting vulnerable groups, all while sustaining economic growth and improving quality of life across the country’s ten administrative regions.

Teixeira said that government has committed significant resources to sectors that matter most to families, noting that the increase in the income tax threshold, expansion of the ‘Because We Care’ grants, new transportation support for pensioners and schoolchildren, $100,000.00 for every newborn, and increases to Public Assistance and the automatic non-contributory Old Age Pension, will all place  billions of dollars of disposable income directly into the hands of our people. “When many advanced countries across the world are reducing access to such social protection services to the poor and vulnerable, Guyana is expanding these services. These measures are purposeful and seek to recognise that national prosperity must be shared, meaningful, and felt across every household,” Teixeira said.

She said budget 2026 continues bold investments in education ($183.6B) and healthcare ($161.1B) to modernise systems, expand access, and continue to close long-standing gaps, even those imposed by geography. In these important sectors, these figures are not merely money spent – they are investments in human capital, community resilience, and intergenerational progress. The budget further advances housing ($159.1B), water ($21.6B), energy diversification ($119.4B), roads and bridges ($196.1B), and drainage and irrigation ($81.9B), thereby strengthening the physical backbone of a rapidly developing Guyana while improving daily living conditions for Guyanese, the senior government minister noted.

“Importantly, Budget 2026 recognises the rights and realities of those in vulnerable situations. Targeted allocations such as $316.5M for persons living with disabilities, $78.3B for children, women and the elderly, and $7.5B for Amerindian and hinterland communities reflect this government’s commitment to ensure that no community is left behind. Expanding Special Educational Needs (SEN) services, improving care infrastructure, and supporting Indigenous economic and social development all demonstrate a governance approach rooted in inclusion and equity.”

This approach, Teixeira said is consistent with Guyana’s ongoing work to strengthen its national human rights architecture. “Budget 2026 supports the respect, protection, and fulfilment of fundamental human rights, including the right to education, health, housing, social protection, clean water, food security, cultural life, and equal opportunity underpinned by non-discrimination. These investments align with our constitutional obligations, reflect our commitments under regional and international human rights instruments, and show that development and human rights can be mutually reinforcing,” the statement added.

She noted too, that investments in agriculture, agro-processing, fisheries, livestock, manufacturing, mining and energy also strengthen the right to development and advance the important right to work by creating new jobs, expanding economic opportunities, and greater involvement of women and youth. “In that vein, maintaining the zero-percent excise tax on fuel and ramping up energy diversification will help households and businesses alike. These expanding economic opportunities and climate resilience energy projects, which are in keeping with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, are both essential to long-term national development.”

Teixeira said government continues to build a State that is capable, accountable, and responsive to the genuine needs of citizens, noting that the use of technology to enhance delivery of services, access to information and access to government agencies, are an important foundational tool in advancing citizen participation and inclusion.

She said her ministry, they will continue to advance transparency, institutional development and public participation, support constitutional bodies, and strengthen national implementation of our international reporting obligations. “The 2026 Budget, as was skilfully laid out by the Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Hon. Dr. Ashni Singh M.P., reinforces this direction by allocating the financial resources necessary to bolster our national reporting mechanisms (such as the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow Up, the National Coordinating Committee and the National Stakeholders Forum), modernise institutions, improve service delivery, and expand opportunities for education and civic engagement.”

Teixeira said the budget is already visionary and impactful, but when viewed through a human rights-based approach to development, we see clearly how financial allocations translate into the respect, protection, and fulfilment of rights. “This is Guyana’s golden era, as l have repeatedly said. It is time for all Guyanese to capitalise on the opportunities available and experience how development can be personal, measurable, and centred on our own dignity as human beings, irrespective of our diverse perspectives and ideologies. This government will continue to put people first. We will deliver policies and programmes that uplift our citizens, strengthen our institutions, and secure a brighter future for generations to come,” the statement concluded.

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• budget, people focused, PPP/C, taxes, Teixeira

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