Ethnic Relations Commission operating expenses stood at $231.4 million in 2024

Audited financial statements for the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) show that the body spent $231.4 million last year on various operating expenses, a significant increase from its 2023 expenditures.

The financial statements were tabled in the National Assembly on Monday when the 13th Parliament was convened.

The ERC’s Statement of Receipts and Payments for the year ended 31st December 2024 shows that the Commission got a $232.7 million government subvention last year. With that subvention, the Commission reportedly spent $231.4 million throughout the year; the remaining funds were returned to the Consolidated Fund.

A breakdown of the spending showed that most of the funds- about $133.5 million- went to employment costs. The full breakdown of operating expenditures is shown below:

The ERC is a constitutional body with a mandate to promote ethnic harmony and good relations in Guyana. It endeavours to make major inputs for the realisation of a peaceful, social environment by promoting programmes that will contribute to the minimisation of incidences of racism and other forms of ethnic intolerance.