Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill delivered a robust defense of Budget 2026 on Monday, countering claims from the opposition that it lacks provisions for the people. He emphasized that the budget is designed to combine growth and fairness while ensuring opportunities for all citizens.
Opening the Budget Debates at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Edghill was the first speaker from the government side. He responded directly to critiques from previous speakers, including Dr. Andre Lewis of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party and Vinceroy Jordan of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
Edghill noted that Jordan’s comments echoed the opposition’s long-standing assertion that the budget offers nothing beneficial for the populace. In contrast, he outlined several social measures detailed in the budget that he believes will directly impact individuals.
“Every family receiving a newborn will get $100,000 at the time of birth. The 206,000 children in public and private schools will receive an $85,000 cash grant. The 106,100 pensioners will see an increase in their pensions, and 25,000 individuals will benefit from public assistance,” Edghill claimed. He added that the wage bill for public servants would rise from $147 billion to $177 billion, illustrating the budget’s focus on social upliftment.
Addressing criticisms regarding the budget’s emphasis on infrastructure, Edghill connected infrastructure investments to individual benefits. “People complain that the budget is heavy on infrastructure because they fail to see how it directly aids individuals,” he stated.
He cited specific examples of major infrastructure projects transforming lives, such as the US$260 million Bharrat Jagdeo River Bridge and improved roadways, which facilitate daily commutes for thousands.
In response to Jordan’s assertion that the government had appropriated the budget’s theme, “Putting People First,” from the APNU manifesto, Edghill clarified that this concept has been part of the PPP/C’s philosophy for years, recalling its use in the 1992 U.S. presidential campaign.
“Budget 2026, aptly themed ‘Putting People First’, embodies the one Guyana philosophy, recognizing that national progress must uplift all citizens,” Edghill emphasized, framing the budget as a social contract aimed at addressing the everyday needs of working families, small businesses, and communities.
He concluded that Budget 2026 represents a transformative growth strategy that ensures every citizen can partake in the country’s successes, labeling it a “people-oriented, pro-poor, service-oriented, development-focused budget.”
