Despite yearly increases in the PPP/C’s budgets, Opposition Member of Parliament, Dawn Hastings contended today that it is not making ordinary citizens happy.
In her address on the third day of the 2024 Budget Debates, Hastings passionately asserted that the annual budget expansions inadequately cater to the socio-economic necessities of citizens which is disappointing for a nation hailed for its oil wealth.
“Getting bigger and bigger does not necessarily mean you are successful in pursuit of the happiness of your citizens…The $1.146 trillion budget will mean nothing to the majority of the Guyanese population, the working class, the poor and the vulnerable, and even the old age pensioners who are struggling to make ends meet in this oil rich country,” the parliamentarian noted.
The recently unveiled $1.146 trillion budget, an impressive 46.6 percent surge over the preceding year’s $781.9 billion allocation, faced swift criticism from the opposition over the past three days.
Branded as the largest budget to date, it drew disapproval for being an “infrastructure budget.” The opposition contended that it predominantly benefits the government’s associates who are poised to secure lucrative contracts from the slated infrastructure projects, leaving the ordinary citizen overlooked.
Recently responding to this critique, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo dismissed claims of inadequate provisions for the average citizen, asserting a vital link between government’s infrastructural investments and their positive impact on citizens’ lives. He argued against the opposition’s short-term philosophy of spending without considering the future, emphasizing the necessity of a balanced approach for the nation’s well-being.
“So when the opposition is saying we are spending too much on infrastructure, it is because they have a philosophy of eat every cent today and forget about tomorrow. We cannot do that as a country. They find it hard to comprehend this kind of philosophy,” he asserted.
Contrarily, Hastings insisted that the budget is not well balanced and stressed the importance of finding common ground to benefit all citizens, not just specific classes. She highlighted that the opposition has proposed recommendations, expressing hope that they would be seriously considered.
“And my hope is that these recommendations be considered in the interest of the people of Guyana and not be ignored at the end of the debate and consideration of the (estimates for current and capital expenditure),”she said.
