Singh, Persaud spar over support for vulnerable groups during budget debate

Feb 04, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – In a heated war of words on Monday, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Vindhya Persaud and WIN parliamentarian Natasha Singh battled on the floor of the National Assembly over the quality of support being provided for Guyana’s most vulnerable.

Minister Persaud, defending the $1.588 trillion national fiscal plan, said there are significant investments in early childhood development such as integrated day-and-night care centres.

“Child abuse is a very serious issue, and we take it very seriously at all levels of the ministry. We have seen a consistent reduction in the number of cases, from over 4,000 cases to over 3,000 cases. That’s still too much, but we are working to make sure every child is safe,” she said.

Minister Persaud highlighted “$70 billion of that [allocation] is going directly into the hands of beneficiaries across the length and breadth of Guyana.”

The minister noted that beneficiaries include recipients of public assistance, persons with permanent disabilities and senior citizens, adding that the number of beneficiaries has increased since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) took office.

The number of pensioners has grown to more than 90,000, with the government honouring its commitment to double pension., she noted.

Minister Persaud said pension payments are on track to reach $60,000, translating to $46,000 per month, along with a $20,000 transportation grant, an electricity grant equivalent to $30,000 per year and a water subsidy.

She added that senior citizens also have access to spectacles, healthcare and eye-testing vouchers.

In addition, a new senior citizens’ home will be constructed at Enmore, while trained women from the Women Innovation Investment Network (WIIN) Programme will be engaged in innovative ways to support these care services.

The minister said the WIIN programme has empowered more than 21,000 women across Regions One to 10 at no cost to participants.

She challenged critics of the budget to speak directly to women who have benefited from the programme, including those operating sewing hubs in Baracara and garment production initiatives in Sophia.

“We continue to advance and champion the rights of women,” Minister Persaud told the house.

The ministry’s training budget has increased from $10.9 million under the previous administration to $330 million to date, with $70 million allocated directly through WIIN for women’s training and empowerment.

Minister Persaud said 129 women were trained through the City and Guilds programme in areas such as carpentry, welding, masonry, electrical installation and plumbing, with plans to expand the initiative this year.

Minister Persaud highlighted the establishment of a model early childhood development day-and-night care centre, described as the first of its kind in the Caribbean.

More than 100 women have been trained in early childhood development as part of the initiative.

In her contribution, MP Singh zeroed in on the budgetary allocation to support vulnerable groups including at risk women, children and elderly.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has been allocated $78.3 billion this year.

Singh believes it is huge sum that represents very little for the nation’s most vulnerable, since the annual figures of child abuse and femicide tell a different story to what the budget proposes.

“It says ‘a good life for all’ but Mr. Speaker, the annual figures tell a different story…In 2024 13 women died and recorded as femicide and in 2025 22 died. In two years, 35 women died as a direct result of Intimate Partner Violence in the most gruesome manner,” the WIN parliamentarian said.

“We can’t be approving large sums of monies for buildings and our children are punishing…. In 2024 3,953 cases of child abuse were reported. In 2025 it is 4,032 cases of child abuse reported, a total of 7985 cases of child abuse in 24 months. Something is rotting in the Child Protection Agency, and this house should investigate this matter. More importantly tell us what the measures are to eradicate child abuse, how many of those cases are flagged as child sexual abuse. This is not putting people first, Mr Speaker….. Our children are our future….by this here our future looks gloomy.”

Singh alluded to a state-of-the-art 24-hour childcare facility valued at $93.8 million which was opened last year but is not yet operational.

She said “It hailed as a beacon of support for families, a crucial step in early childhood development, and a relief for parents striving to build a better life, but it is left to decay or until Region 3 figures out how to use the center.  Mr. Speaker, why was this centre commissioned with a grand ceremony if it was not operationally ready?”

Singh noted that another such care centre was awarded another $93.8 million dollars to be built in Providence.

“The minister of finance spoke on it glowingly, but what he did not tell you is that this centre which started in mid-2023 was supposed to be completed in December 2025 and after four contractors in February 2026, the project is still incomplete and now in 2026, you see request for money to complete the centre.”

The opposition MP called for an immediate and thorough investigation by the relevant parliamentary oversight committee into the procurement, commissioning, and subsequent abandonment of the centres.

“The Minister of Human Services and Social Security to make a full ministerial statement to the National Assembly detailing the reasons for the closure of the state-of-the-art facility, and a clear, costed plan for its immediate opening of the centre at Anna Catherina….” she stated.

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• Budget Debate, Natasha Singh, Vindhya Persaud, vulnerable groups

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