Carl Greenidge — Shadow Finance Minister
“MY first reaction is one of severe disappointment.  The expectation of the public is that the Government would have done something fairly comprehensive on the tax front. They had the US Aid Report of 2008, which made some recommendation as regards changes in tax structure.
“What we find is that they have done something in relation to income tax — the income tax threshold — that is welcome. It isn’t large, but given they have done nothing on VAT and given the insignificance  of  the amounts they have put in relation to the Public Assistance and Old Age Pension, one would have expected  something substantial in the area of  public service emoluments and also in terms of the threshold.
“I think we are greatly disappointed when you bear in mind that this very government had promised last year that it will do so much to turn around sugar, for example — a promise that had nothing to do with politicization of the sugar industry or the complaints of GAWU. They dismissed, and today they come back to say they are giving $4B to (the) sugar industry, and a substantial amount, $6Bm, to GPL., in addition to increasing the tariffs  on people in Linden and those in Kwakwani.
“These are the measures of the Government at the time when it is boasting that this economy is doing better than it has ever done before.
“The minister is telling us that the economy is doing better than it has done before, and this is all that he can do. No reference. I emphasise that there has been no reference whatsoever to poverty. This government has a PRSP which it has been running since 2002, and that PRSP called upon them to direct social expenditure to the poorest and most vulnerable people in this country.  That PRSP was practically abandoned in 2006, and it was replaced or put in tandem with the initiative in respect to the competitive strategy.
“Today, when you look at the programmes that the minister offers, (there is) nothing there targeted in any substantive way to the depressed communities and to the poor, and this is shocking.”

Winston Felix — Shadow Home Affairs Minister
“Budget? What budget? I am ashamed! Ashamed of everything!
“The Government seems to show greater concern for a former president whose pension it was announced will amount to somewhere in (the vicinity of) three million (dollars) a month, and (there will be) a number of other facilities available to him.
“But for the older people, the over 65, they only qualify for $8, 000 a month. What a travesty!”
As it relates to the Security Sector, Felix said it showed little improvement. The little that the Honourable Minister announced showed an increase of just about a billion dollars, or a little less.
Felix said he would have to give that aspect some study to see how the allocation among the Police, Prisons, Fire Service and the Guyana Defence Force was spread.
“But we have not seen any move targeting development and protection for the citizens of this country.
“No special effort was made in the budget to single out any specific area of development which the budget has targeted.”
Recalling the APNU campaign, which focused on a better life for all Guyanese, Felix contended that a better life for all was not possible when there was nothing contributing to that theme. One would have hoped that for the Security Sector, the Government would have considered   developing the Police, Prisons and Fire (Services) to deal with the various aspects of criminality in the country.
“Almost every week, as of recent, there has been a daring armed robbery in some part of Guyana. We have to deal with that. It is pointless saying you are allocating millions more in the budget and it does not translate to protection of the citizens, it does not translate into the feeling of security by those intended to be protected by the budgetary allocation.”

Dr Rupert Roopnaraine
“The budget pays no attention to poor and working people.  You know, I sat there and listened… Look, public assistance was increased by $400 a month or something. That can’t even buy two loaves of bread; and the Old Age Pension (has been increased) by $600. These are all laughable increases they mean nothing. They will not improve people’s lives.
“That’s my major disappointment, and APNU will definitely be speaking on those things during the debate.”

Basil Williams
“Oh, it’s a poor budget, it does nothing for the people of this country. Nothing!
“I was even appalled that there was no provision for increase for wages and salaries for workers of this country. That is a glaring omission in the budget.”

Valarie Lowe – A FC
“I had expected more for pensions and public assistance. I can’t see how those people could survive.
“I am hoping that while doing an in-depth study I would come across enough programmes that will allow women to further empower themselves.”

Joe Harmon
“This is a most disappointing budget! I believe that it’s more characteristic for the bailout that is given to GPL and GuySuCo and the fact that it has not eased the plight and the suffering of the poor in this country. I think this is a terrible budget! I think what will happen (is that) you will see a rise (in) the cost of living; you will see, in particular, the cost of living for the people in Linden will increase, because they say they will review the arrangement for electricity generation in Linden . For me, it is a very disappointing budget!
“This is my first budget I am participating in in the National Assembly, and I must say I am very disappointed with a lot of the things the minister announced.”