Supplementary funding of $44.8B approved

Approval has been given by the National Assembly to government to utilise an additional $44.8B for major transformational work in the housing and water, education, public works, local government, and other sectors.

It was revealed that the government MPs were able to efficiently scrutinise the motion, laying out government’s development path for Guyanese.   It was disclosed that almost half of the supplementary fund of $21.050B will go towards the Housing and Water Ministry.

It was noted that an additional, $15.9B is being used for the provision of additional resources to facilitate infrastructural works in new and existing housing areas, and the promotion of the government’s housing programme. Further, another $250.5M will be used for the provision of additional resources for the completion of water supply interventions in hinterland areas.

It was disclosed that some $660M will be used to replace aging and deteriorated pipelines in the city, upgrade of water treatment plants in Linden, and drilling of wells. Government disclosed that over $4.2 B has been allocated for the provision of additional resources to increase treated water coverage through the construction of, and upgrading of water treatment plants.

As such, government kept its promise to Amerindians when it gave no objection to the allocation of $3B to further enhance their quality of life. Some $250M will be invested in programmes and initiatives to support youth empowerment. Other areas of focus include agriculture and food security, women’s affairs, youth and children, facilities, services, infrastructure and eco-tourism.

President, Irfaan Ali had made the promise to Amerindian village leaders in July at the annual National Toshaos’ Council Conference (NTC).It was noted that the Agriculture Ministry has amassed a sum of $1.9B, of which $1.431B will be used to provide additional support to the sugar industry.

Further, some $300M will go towards the support of fisherfolk and $177.7M for additional support for the black belly sheep project. Additionally, another $4.439B has been allocated to the Public Works Ministry for the rehabilitation and upgrade of roads and drains across the country.

Government disclosed that to meet the electricity arrears owed to the Guyana and Power and Light by several public sector entities, some $4B was also approved by the national assembly. Government revealed that the $1.296B allocation to the Local Government Ministry will be used to provide additional resources to facilitate new infrastructural development initiatives and support regional economic transformation programmes.

They revealed that the Public Service Ministry secured $250M to further support the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) initiative, while $307.027M will be used by the Education Ministry to purchase furniture to facilitate students in the new school year in the COVID-19 environment. Additionally, the $44,794, 011,175 represents current estimates of $12,239,279,235 and capital estimates of $32,554,731,940 for the period ending December 31, 2022.