Leader of the opposition, Aubrey Norton is particularly perturbed about the PPP/C administration’s plans to address the high cost of living with a $5B allocation in the 2023 budget. He insists that this is not enough.
Norton during his weekly press conference today explained that the sum allocated was similar to the one in the previous fiscal year. He noted that in comparing both the current and past state of affairs, the allocation should have been higher to meet the intensifying demands of the market.
“Where are those measures to address the runaway cost of living? No longer can the people accept a paltry $5 billion towards cost of living mitigation…”
Norton also registered his alarm at the relatively paltry sum, especially when one considers that this year’s budget is 41% larger than the previous year and the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) has over US$1B.
The opposition leader also questioned funds allocated to old-age pensions and the “Because We Care” cash grant for students. Despite the government allocating increases to these measures, Norton was still not impressed.
“Where are those measures to ensure social protection and assistance for those in need? Old age pension, public assistance, and ‘Because we care’ cash grant increases are shameful at a time when our country’s oil industry is booming,” Norton said.
He noted that the poverty Guyanese endure is not artificial, it is real. He added that the financial crisis currently breaking the backs of many Guyanese is a reflection of an administration that refuses to comprehend the realities of “poverty.”
“Social support for families could easily be doubled this year. The PPP, however, is only content to offer a heartless pittance. This is even while the real wages and salaries of the people continue to decline,” Norton said.
