$61 billion in supplementary funding approved to advance gov’t projects

The government was able to secure $61 billion in supplementary funding late Wednesday night after lawmakers spent hours scrutinising and defending the monies requested by various ministries and agencies.

These funds are for the period ending December 31, 2023; it is expected to complement work ongoing through the $781.9 billion 2023 National Budget and the previously approved $31 billion in supplementary funding that caters for direct disbursements to Guyana’s Indigenous communities and climate adaptation measures.

Earlier in the day, as the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly considered the supplementary funding, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh noted that the increased costs of fuel were among the reasons for some agencies requesting more money.

For other agencies, the subject ministers noted that more cash is needed to advance projects and programmes.

For example, an additional $2 billion was requested and approved for the education sector to allow for more resources to support the country’s school feeding programme; the provision of grants to schools; additional resources to facilitate the completion of Good Hope Secondary School, and funding for the acquisition of more textbooks for schools.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand, while responding to questions from Opposition Parliamentarians, said more funds are being requested so that children and teachers are better catered to.

“This is us trying to deliver better service through the schools…” Manickchand said.

Meanwhile, a majority of the supplementary funding- some $34.2 billion- will go to the Ministry of Public Works to support several programmes, including the construction of the Wismar Bridge in Linden; the upgrading of roads and sea defences in various communities; the construction and rehabilitation of a wharf and stellings, and the maintenance of the Berbice and Demerara Harbour bridges.

A press release from the Ministry of Finance noted that the supplementary funding also caters for $1 billion under the health sector and will go towards the rehabilitation and upgrading of health facilities around the country.

Meanwhile, it was also noted that the Office of the Prime Minister will get more funds to offset the increased cost of fuel at the Linden and Lethem power companies and to fund the advancement of the Wales gas to energy project.

Another $8 billion will be injected into the agriculture sector to cater for drainage and irrigation works around the country while the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuco) will receive additional funding to facilitate the rehabilitation of lands at Albion, Blairmont, Rose Hall, and Uitvlugt estates.

The security sector will also benefit from a $400 million injection to allow for additional resources such as vehicles and boats to boost the operational effectiveness of the Guyana Police Force while an additional $1 billion for the upgrade of police stations, quarters, other facilities, furnishings and equipment.

Another $563 million has been provided for the upgrade of infrastructure across several bases of the Guyana Defense Force.