With the Guyana Government able to access some $209B deposited into the National Resource Fund (NRF), the Alliance For Change (AFC) opined that the PPP/C Government has a golden opportunity to ensure budget 2023 is people-centered.
Towards this end, it posited that a portion of the oil revenues must be used to deliver free education at the University of Guyana. It also wants a portion of the said revenues to be used to bump old age pension to $50,000 and minimum wage to $150,000 with corresponding adjustments to personal income tax.
The AFC said, “Budget 2023, which will be read on January 16th, must be seen as people-centered. This is because it will be the largest ever, given the increased earnings from the oil and gas sector. Therefore, the benefits from the inheritance must be equally shared by all sectors of the citizenry.”
In addition to its other recommendations, the AFC called for budget 2023 to provide full subsidy for all types of vehicles on all bridge/pontoon crossings, as well as the introduction of free speedboat services to all school children and medical personnel from the Vreed-en-hoop to Georgetown, Grove, and EBD to Georgetown.
The opposition faction said these subsidies will reduce consumer costs, resulting in more families’ having greater disposable income. They opined too that it will also reduce traffic build-up due to eliminating waiting time to pay tolls, particularly on the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
The AFC said, “It is anticipated that these proposed subsidies will cost 1.4% of the 2022 NRF funds but will benefit ordinary working-class citizens.”
Additionally, the AFC called for a monthly electricity subsidy for all categories of consumers; $5000 for domestic consumers, $10,000 for commercial and $15,000 for industrial along with a reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) to 12%.
Furthermore, it said that government should provide duty-free concession and VAT exemption on equipment and machinery for all businesses involved in Agriculture.
It also called for the establishment of new shelters across all Administrative Regions for women seeking respite and to escape abusive relationships.
The AFC said these are but a few key provisions it expects to see in Budget 2023.
“It is time that all the people of Guyana enjoy the benefits and not the unequal allocations we have seen which makes the rich in our society richer. The cries of our ordinary citizens about the high cost of living confirm that they are not seeing the improvements directly in their pockets. Budget 2023 has the power to change that,” the AFC concluded.