Budget 2018 delivers to the working class- Minister Ferguson

DPI, GUYANA, Thursday, December 07, 2017

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson says that the 2018 Budget will deliver to the working class, and defended her statement by outlining key infrastructural developments highlighted in the fiscal plan.

One such crucial project is the upgrading of the Lethem airstrip into a regional hub and international aerodrome, to receive flights originating from Brazil and other neighbouring Latin American countries.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson.

“The PPP/C is living in denial and they are trying to distract the people of Guyana and Lethem from their journey to the good life. The development of Lethem Aerodrome will transform the aviation and tourism landscape of Guyana and Region. It will enhance Guyana’s connectivity with the rest of the world and complement the tourism sector, creating jobs for many Guyanese,” Minister Ferguson underscored, during her budget presentation, in the House today.

She further highlighted that another budgetary allocation of $18M will fund an assessment study for the modernisation of river transport in Guyana.  The upgrading of riverine transportation began in 2017 and will be completed in 2018, as part of efforts to transform the services of the Transport and Harbours Department.

Still on the subject of water transport, Minister Ferguson added that $500M has been allocated for the docking of M.V. Makouria, M.V. Kanawan and M.V. Sabanto while $262M was provided for phase two of rehabilitative works on the Supenaam, Leguan, and Bartica stellings.

She then looked at other gains highlighted in the budget including private sector employees benefitting from tax-free vacation allowance and the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) from private education.

“This means, many Guyanese working in the private sector will enjoy more disposable income from this new-tax measure….and the savings of approximately millions for parents, which represents additional disposable income that parents will have to spend.”

Minister Ferguson commended the Minister of Finance for proposing to grant an amnesty to all delinquent taxpayers – corporate and individual alike.

“This amnesty will result in more disposable income for both corporate and individual. All Guyanese will benefit across the political divide.”

“The members of the opposition said the budget has nothing about wealth creation but rather wealth distribution. The Honourable Member Vickram Bharat called it the Robin Hood Budget. Honourable Cornel Damon in his presentation said old men must have their rest and this explains why the wealth creation component of Budget 2018 eluded members of the opposition, they were sleeping and to them, I say these words, sleep on beloved, sleep on!!!,” Minister Ferguson contended.

Among the achievements made by her ministry for 2017, the minister highlighted the erection of street lights for the first time in Dartmouth, recommissioning of the M.V Barima and the launching of the Community Organised for a Restored Environment (CORE) groups.

 

By: Ranetta La Fleur

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