‘Where did the money go?’ – Volda Lawrence, PM clash on gov’t spending

The transparent spending of state funds came into focus on Thursday during the final day of the 2025 National Budget Debate as Opposition Parliamentarian Volda Lawrence and Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips spoke.

Lawrence, a seasoned politician, raised concerns about the government’s intended spending through this $1.38 trillion budget. According to her, there are huge allocations for various sectors and ventures but many questions linger.

“Beyond specific fiscal measures, there are border concerns about the budget’s transparency and the equitable distribution of the nation’s oil wealth

“Citizens have not yet experienced general improvements in services,” she said, noting that improper garbage disposal and lengthy engagement times at the passport office are among the basic services that have not enjoyed major improvements.

Lawrence, a former Minister of Health, also raised concerns about the availability of hospital beds, drugs, and other supplies while the healthcare sector received substantial allocations annually.

But Prime Minister Phillips did not accept her assertions that the money was not being spent wisely. He was armed with a laundry list of projects that the government is spending on, and said citizens can see where the money is being spent.

Those projects include huge solar farms, which fall under his portfolio, and the mega Gas-to-Energy project. He also reminded all lawmakers gathered in the House that hundreds of roads and other infrastructure projects are being constructed, while vulnerable groups including women are being supported.

And in contrast, he contended, the APNU+AFC coalition that Lawrence was a government minister under could not properly account for money spent.

“$400 million spent on Durban Park cannot be properly accounted for,” Prime Minister Phillips said. “The management of drugs and medical supplies, they cannot be accounted for.”