Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo explained today that the government is implementing a forward-thinking strategy that ensures all Guyanese have a conducive environment that, combined with their efforts, can set them on a path to wealth creation.
During an engagement with members of the media at Freedom House, the Vice President said it is necessary to explain the government’s strategy in this regard, especially after noting some of the misguided views in the press.
The chief policymaker for the oil sector noted an editorial in today’s edition of the Kaieteur News, which criticized the 2024 budget presented by Dr. Ashni Singh. The editorial focused on Dr. Singh’s reference to a “minimum threshold” for a decent life in Guyana. It challenged the notion of government still painting lofty pictures of minimum standards that will be improved over time, especially when all are aware that this is the world’s fastest growing economy. The editorial also argued that the budget overlooks the immediate struggles of many Guyanese, particularly those earning minimum wages or living in poverty.
Jagdeo said the author clearly does not understand the concept referenced by the Finance Minister. The vice president said the “minimum threshold” has nothing to do with cash transfers to the people through wage/salary increases. It has to do with building out a “minimum threshold of services” related to health, education, security, and infrastructure. With a world class standard built into those sectors, the vice president said all Guyanese would have an environment in which they can thrive.
“You would recall that in the health care sector, we said we are redefining this to provide a higher level of care which includes greater access to free CT scans, free ultrasounds and a number of free tests, which in the past you had to pay for…That is why we are building out 13 new hospitals to meet this new concept of better primary health care,” explained the Vice President.
While the concept of a “minimum threshold” may be tucked away in the budget, he assured that it is impregnated with a vision that ensures the prosperity of the citizenry.
Beyond the minimum, the vice president said he wants every Guyanese to become wealth through their own efforts. “So the State guarantees the minimum, and the people are able to build on this. We want all Guyanese to become wealthy,” he said.
The official stated that this crucial concept is also one of many that eludes the understanding of the political opposition, which has criticized the 2024 budget for not being sufficiently focused on the people’s needs.
