Latest update February 16th, 2026 12:30 AM
APNU slams $18.8B year-end spending
…calls it ‘rubber stamp’ governance
(Kaieteur News) – The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has condemned the Government of Guyana (GoG) for what it describes as a “quiet” and controversial drawdown of $18.8 billion in the final two months of 2025, accusing the administration of sidestepping parliamentary scrutiny. Financial Paper Number Two of 2025 was laid in the National Assembly by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, on January 26, 2026 — weeks after the funds had already been spent and during presentation of the 2026 National Budget.
APNU’s Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul
Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Ganesh Mahipaul on Sunday said that APNU did not support the passage of the financial paper as the approach by government reeks of flagrant disrespect to the National Assembly of Guyana. “If the sums were spent in 2025, the administration had every opportunity to convene a sitting before the end of December to seek the lawful approval of the House. Instead, it chose to arrive in February of a new financial year without any acceptable explanation and ask Members to simply endorse what has already been done,” Mahipaul argued.
He pointed out that while the law allows for advances to be made by a government, the PPP has trampled on the principles of good governance and accountability by refusing to convene Parliament in November or December to approve the additional expenditure.
Moreover, the MP described the move as an abuse of the contingency fund, as the expenditure by government failed to meet the criteria of “urgent and unforeseen”.
Mahipaul called for a division in Parliament, during the wee hours of Saturday morning, following the debate on the sum requested. He told Kaieteur News it was important for the record to show that APNU did not support such an act that reduces the National Assembly to a “rubber stamp”.
Additionally, he said that while the PPP holds majority of the Parliamentary seats, the division allowed for each MP to vote according to his own will which would demonstrate individual principle and respect for the House, or lack thereof. Notably, 28 members voted against and 35 in favour of the Motion to support the additional expenditure by government. Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo were absent from the Assembly at the time and did not cast their respective votes.
The joint Opposition currently holds 29 seats and the governing party 36 seats in the 65-member Assembly. Mahipaul therefore urged, “The National Assembly is not a rubber stamp. It is the constitutional body charged with ensuring accountability, transparency, and proper oversight of public funds on behalf of the people of Guyana. Possessing a majority does not give any government the moral authority to ignore long-standing principles of respect, order, and lawful process.”
The MP added, “Principles matter. Respect for the Assembly matters. Law and order matter. These must never be compromised, particularly when public spending and the people’s money are involved.”
According to Financial Paper Number Two, seen by this newspaper, the Government made two advances totaling $18,821,223,636 with $7.4B for current and $11.4B for capital expenditure to cover the period November 18 to December 16, 2025. Earlier in 2025, the GoG had sought an additional $57.5B to support the $1.382 trillion Budget. This means that Government increased its spending power in the election year to a massive $1,458,313,838,911.
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