Budget 2020 assures prosperity for all Guyanese – Minister Edghill

-urges Opposition support

After five days of heated debates on the$329.5 billion Emergency Budget, Minister of Public Works, Hon. Bishop Juan Edghill said it guarantees prosperity for all Guyanese.

Reflecting on the submissions of his Government colleagues, Minister Edghill, who presented the Budget to the House, said it was a testament to the administration’s steadfast commitment to the people.

Noting too that it was delivered in record time to “swiftly and decisively” address issues affecting the country, Minister Edghill iterated, “We were faithful in promises that we made to the electorate to make the necessary interventions that could be done immediately, and to create fiscal space to ensure that we address the emergencies of COVID-19.”

He also pointed out that several much-needed interventions were included in the Budget to address issues plaguing Guyanese and the economy. These include allocations for the emergency purchase of critical drugs and medical supplies; the COVID-19 relief cash grants; salary bonus to members of the Joint Services; the expansion of the Guyana Learning Channel; and the sweeping VAT reductions in the mining and agricultural sectors.

Minister Edghill issued a call for bipartisanship despite the Opposition’s walkout before Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips’s penultimate presentation.

“Mr. Speaker, I ask that this Budget be adopted and passed in this House. I stretch out my hands of friendship saying to the men and women who were elected to sit in this noble House, who now sit in the Opposition, we stand willing and ready to stretch out our hands of partnership.”

Consideration of the Budget Estimates begins next week.