Gov’t seeks $26B in additional funding for cash grants, DPP chambers, increased security, other initiatives

The government has tabled two financial papers in the National Assembly seeking additional funding for several projects and to support its announced cash grant pay-outs to various categories of Guyanese among other needs.

In total, the government wants the House to approve additional spending amounting to over $26 billion.

This is in addition to a $23 billion sought and passed in June 2021 to cover several expenses, including those related to the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines and flooding.

At the time, the government also requested $1.5 billion in capital support for the restructuring of the sugar industry.

In these two new requests, the first ask is for $5.1 billion. The government says it provides for one off grant to severed sugar workers and out of crop support to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo); it will facilitate the payout of cash grants to students of private schools along with subsistence and transportation of staff involved in the COVID vaccination campaigns.

The monies will also allow for the procurement of containerised offices and the construction of two bridges at the fire ravaged Brickdam Police Station and increased security services for several government buildings among others.

The second financial paper asks for $21.4B in supplementary funding.

It is for clearing arrears to the Guyana Power and Light, advance payment for City Hall Restoration, more funds for the Sherriff Mandela Road project and for an upgraded baggage handling system at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

The additional funding will also facilitate rehabilitation of smart classrooms, purchase school furnishing, leapfrog funding for the  four lane highway, purchase medical supplies for COVID-19 and rehabilitation of DPP chambers in the aftermath of a fire among others.

The request is expected to be debated and voted on at a subsequent sitting of the National Assembly.