In a passionate address to the National Assembly, APNU Member of Parliament Vinceroy Jordan delivered a scathing critique of the national budget, asserting that while it may appear large in scale, it lacks the necessary measures to lift Guyanese out of poverty. He emphasized that the budget fails to effectively address the pressing cost of living issues faced by the populace.
“Mr. Speaker, this budget will keep Guyanese in poverty instead of transforming the lives and livelihoods of our people. It allocates resources in a way that will not take people out of poverty,” Jordan declared, highlighting what he perceives as a significant disconnect between government allocations and the needs of the working class.
Jordan pointed to alarming statistics from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which found that 58% of Guyanese live in poverty, with 32% in abject poverty. He challenged his colleagues to visit these struggling communities to witness the survival crisis firsthand.
He expressed frustration over what he described as the government’s indifference, criticizing Finance Minister Ashni Singh’s proposal of modest increases in pensions and public assistance, while lamenting the absence of wage increases for public servants and the lack of initiatives to reduce the high cost of living. “A 25% increase in public servants’ salaries, though inadequate, would have signaled an interest in giving Guyanese a livable income. This budget fails to deliver,” he stated.
Jordan further claimed that the budget primarily benefits the “friends, families, and favorites” of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.
Turning his attention to the agriculture sector, Jordan noted that while $113.2 billion has been allocated, a significant portion—$81.9 billion—is earmarked for infrastructural works. He warned that at least 40% of these funds could be wasted due to poor planning and execution.
“As this government claims to work towards food security, it has allocated only $1.9 billion for livestock and $3.3 billion for other crops,” he criticized. “If the government were serious about lowering the cost of living, each region would have a comprehensive plan for sustainable agriculture development.”
Jordan raised concerns for various agricultural producers, including those involved in cash crops, dairy, poultry, and fishing, arguing that their needs are being overlooked. He highlighted a meager allocation of $200 million for the fisheries sector, contrasting it with the substantial investment in the sugar industry.
“Mr. Speaker, this government is complicit in the mismanagement of GuySuCo. They wield it as a political tool to garner votes from specific areas while lacking a proper plan for its revival,” he asserted, noting that the sugar industry incurs significant losses, producing sugar at an average cost of $1.31 per pound, yet selling it for just $0.17.
Jordan concluded that the approach to the sugar industry must be reevaluated, advocating for diversification and right-sizing to ensure its sustainability.
