“Budget 2021 will touch the lives of every Guyanese” – PM
-Highlights major investments in stable supply of electricity
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, praised the 2021 budget at the National Assembly this afternoon, saying that it “will touch the lives of every Guyanese”.
Speaking on allocations for sectors under his purview, the Prime Minister said that Guyanese can be optimistic about more reliable electricity as a result of the $8.4B allocated under the power generation programme.
“With allocations of $240M for the Sustainable Energy Programme, $628.8M for the Renewable Energy Improvement Power System Project, $750M for the Energy Matrix Diversification Programme, $500M for the Solar System Project and $125M for the Small Hydro Projects, our Government will now work assiduously to implement the necessary measures that will result in improved standard of living for our people through the generation and provision of sufficient, stable and reliable power”.
Additionally, according to the Prime Minister, an estimated $1B has been allocated to the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA). This will be used to continue its transformative work in accordance with the agency’s strategic direction to advance solar and wind systems for off – grid areas, to support the expansion of the hinterland electrification programme, to replace and upgrade solar PV systems in the hinterland and also to advance micro grids for large hinterland areas.
Moreover, power companies across the country will receive a subvention of $3.1B. The largest of that amount, $2.3B, will go to LINMINE. Other companies such as the Lethem Power Company will receive $172.5M, Kwakwani Utilities Inc- $490M, Mabaruma Power Company – $30M, Mahdia Power and Light – $50M, Moruca Power and Light – $10M, Matthew’s Ridge Power and Light – $15M and Port Kaituma Power and Light – $50M.
Another $1.8B has been allocated to the Power Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP), to support GPL in executing fundamental infrastructure investment of a Corporate Development Programme (CDP).
According to the PM, the project will reduce technical and non-technical losses of electricity and improve the performance and reliability of the power distribution network by 2023.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION
The Prime Minister was also adamant about the Government’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and using ICT as a tool for economic and social empowerment.
“In acknowledging the need for ICT in the empowerment of our citizens and to improve our society, our PPP/C Government plans to ensure that all necessary aspects within this industry are strengthened to immediately build toward this goal and has thus, set aside an estimated total of $2.3 billion for the Telecommunications and Innovation sector”.
Additionally, the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), will receive $2B to expand and implement new network and communication infrastructure to connect Government agencies countrywide, connect educational institutions and provide free ICT access to hinterland and poor and remote communities among other tasks.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND MANAGEMENT
According to the Prime Minister, $563M has also been allocated to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), for it to carry out its work and better position the agency to coordinate and respond to disasters in a faster manner.
“These advancements will include expansions to the CDC’s facilities, personnel capacity building, role strengthening and greater integration of technology into the organisation’s systems for preparedness, emergency operations and logistics; including supply chain management, financing, and monitoring and evaluation”.
The Prime Minister in his closing remarks said that Guyanese can depend on the Government continued engagement and interactions with ordinary individuals.
“We work not only in the office behind closed doors…. We get up and we get out in the fields to meet with the people. We serve so that when we come here to this House, we truly represent what the people want and the decisions we make here do not take away, but add and improve the lives of our people”.
The Prime Minister is responsible for power generation, telecommunication and
innovation, Government information and communication services and disaster preparedness, response and management.