–    Guyanese speak up about Budget 2011
The 2011 Budget was, last Monday, presented in the National Assembly, the largest under the administration of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) totaling some $161.4B, and the debates on the estimates are slated to begin today. In this context, the Guyana Chronicle asked a cross section of Guyanese, serving their country in different capacities, about their impressions of the budget and what it represents for them.
Here’s what Guyanese had to say:

National Science Coordinator of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Ms. Petal Jetoo, said the allocations made are commendable, expressly in the education sector to advance science education.
“It is basically more opportunities…we have more opportunistic to advance, for example part of the allocations will go toward rehabilitating secondary school laboratories,” she said.
Jetoo noted that the 2011 Budget is a progressive one.

President of the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Leon Walcott, said, “The budget is one that has something for everyone…with the allocations we have this year things will get better.”
Walcott explained that for persons with disabilities the 2011 budget provides for the advancement of greater inclusion.
“There is much more support for vulnerable groups and with each year, more and more, the government is doing something for the Guyanese people,” he posited.

Founder of the Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG), Mr. Peter Persaud, called the 2011 budget “impressive.”
“Substantial support has been allocated to the different sectors, including supporting Amerindian development…the government is pursuing the development in a genuine way,” Persaud said.
He referenced the criticisms that have been raised by several faction and stressed that the 2011 allocations is another step in a series of consistent strides to bring betterment to the Guyanese people.

The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) Coordinator, Ms. Shameeza Mangal, said, “The budget has something for all the sectors. There is room for all the developmental programmes to be advanced.”
According to her NBTS was allocated some $100M, which she said is testimony to the fact that development in every area has been supported in the 2011 Budget.
Touching base with her West Berbice root, Mangal pointed out that the continued emphasis on rural development is commendable.
“There is the new Mahaicony Technical Institute being put up and that is a good move to assist the youths in that area,” she said.
However, Mangal noted that more can be done in the area of Sports to engage West Berbice youths in more constructive activities.

Reiterating the need for more was veteran educator Mrs. Magda Pollard, who acknowledged that the 2011 budget does build on facilitating the quality of life through education, health and culture.
“The quality of the people is a major area where we need to focus…we must address the social services and do more to improve the status of women especially,” she said.
The educator explained that Guyanese below the poverty line need the supportive framework to improve their situation, which can be assisted by the allocations made in the budget.
“I am no economist, but it seems that the budget is geared to do more,” Pollard posited.

Guyana Agricultural Producers’ Association (GAPA) Field Officer, Mr. Neezam Bhikram, told the Guyana Chronicle, that the budget is indeed “bigger and better” for intents and purposes.
He noted that in his area, the allocation of $9.1B for, will go a long way to modernizing the agricultural sector for the benefit of the farmers who drive the sector.

Administrator of the Women’s Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Hymawattie Lagan, called the allocations a continuation of the progressive growth Guyana has advanced.
Lagan stressed that over the years several initiatives have supported the Guyanese people and the 2011 budget will allow Guyanese to further enhance their lives.
“It means something to the people…it is a good budget and it will further move the growth and development we have seen,” she said.