The first day of the 2024 Budget Debates continued Monday afternoon with Minister within the Ministry of Local Government Anand Persaud and Opposition Parliamentarian with the shadow local government portfolio Ganesh Mahipaul, both seeking voters’ support for their respective parties.
Both Parliamentarians shared their views on the 2024 National Budget, which was presented last Monday by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh. That budget totals $1.14 trillion.
Mahipaul, like his other opposition colleagues, contended that the trillion-dollar budget does not provide enough support to Guyana’s most vulnerable. Focusing more specifically on local governance, he does not believe that enough funds have gone towards “empowering local leaders.”
Minister Persaud, however, disagreed. According to him, $1 billion has been allocated towards local development organs (LDOs).
“This means that we will be ensuring that each LDO delivers on their programmes,” he said.
Though both men differed on their views of the 2024 budget, they seemed to be united on using the debates as an opportunity to sway voters ahead of next year’s General and Regional Elections.
Mahipaul spoke confidently of the A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) return to office, promising citizens that their needs would be wholly met.
“…. Together we will usher in an era where the concerns and aspirations of every citizen are not just heard but addressed,” Mahipaul said.
Persaud, on the other hand, rebuked the APNU’s return into government, describing them as “riggers” several times before he was eventually cautioned by Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir.
And Persaud assured citizens that it is the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) that has delivered on its promises to people.
“This country under the PPP/C is the place where youths are thriving and have a say whether you are African, Indian, Chinese or Mixed,” he said.
Persaud later added, “We care for our Amerindian brothers and sisters.. That is why we invested our time and energy to ensure they are paid for the carbon credits.”
