MP Smith – Budget 2023 builds on a strong foundation

Government Member of Parliament, Dr Tandika Smith said Budget 2023 will continue to solidify the foundation set by the PPP/C Government when it took office in 2020. She expressed this view during the budget debates on Monday in the National Assembly.

Dr Smith reflected on the undue hardships imposed during the tenure of the APNU+AFC Coalition government.

“They took away the Because We Care cash grant from our school children, over 7,000 sugar workers were fired, they increased their salaries from 50 to more or less 100 per cent, they placed VAT on water and electricity, building materials, fertilisers, VAT on data, medical supplies and over 200 food items…They fired over 200 Amerindian CSOs placing our Amerindian brothers and sisters on the breadline,” she noted.

Dr Smith pointed out that Amerindians are now able to experience true development in various sectors.

She revealed that the allocation to the Health Ministry this year will see four telemedicine centres being established in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, and upgrades to health centres in Annai, Karasabai and Sand Creek.

Dr Smith noted that Moruca and Mabaruma will soon get maternal waiting homes, while Monkey Mountain and Shulinab now have medical personnel stationed there to provide medical service to residents.

The MP focusing on Region Three, said this region is becoming one of Guyana’s main economic hub, pointing to the new four-lane Demerara River Bridge and the Schoonord to Crane highway, which are taking shape.

Dr Smith said that among other developments, many are benefitting from house lot distributions, while 30 of the 36 health centres in the region have been upgraded.

Additionally, the region will soon benefit from a modern Regional Hospital.