MINISTER of Public Works, Robeson Benn, in his presentation during the first day of debates on Budget 2013 in the National Assembly yesterday, said that Guyana has gone past the stage of repairs and rehabilitation and is now building anew.

“A new generation of Guyanese will have solid things to build on, solid infrastructure to build on…we are building anew in Guyana, after many, many years, we are building anew. We have gone past the stage of repairs…” he stressed.
He pointed out that it is not only the government that is building anew, but that Guyanese in housing schemes all over the country are also building anew in an environment of hope.
The minister noted that with increases, the Public Works Ministry has had an expenditure of 81.4 percent of its programme in 2012.
“The best efforts of the ministry, its engineers and workers are being expended to ensure that we have the best use of the resources with respect to our budgetary allocations,” he remarked.
Benn further related that the government has spent some $268M with respect to capital works on the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DBH) in 2012.
He added that the amount of vehicles traversing the bridge daily has increased significantly, noting that traffic lights have been recently installed at the intersection of the DHB, making it more effective in terms of traffic disposal.
However, he stated that presently a pre-feasibility study is being undertaken and is expected to be completed in June this year, regarding the three options for the location of a new crossing across the Demerara River.
He advised that $300M has been provided in the budget for the continued maintenance of the existing bridge, as it is anticipated the new crossing will not come into fruition until approximately six years from now.
Meanwhile, the minister alluded to some flagship “lump” projects, as they were called by some opposition members, who say that the government has no responsibility to the poor as it relates to focusing on these large projects.
One such project, he said, is the intention to build a road from Lethem to Linden, which, according to him, is a necessary project that would enable the development and advancement of Linden as a port.
In addition, he mentioned the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project and stressed that the sod has already been turned to commence the project to build a runway extension of 1000 metres and a new terminal building which will accommodate the best standards for international travellers.
He noted that this project will realize the hopes and intention to exploit Guyana’s dual strategic position to be a hub for international flights to and from the north and south, and east and west of the world.
Meanwhile, Benn noted that there have been understandable criticisms proffered by members of the parliamentary opposition with respect to the budget.
However, he said it is worrisome that issues related to Value Added Tax (VAT) are still being debated, and that the fact that, in instituting VAT, consumption taxes of up to 35% was removed is being ignored.
“If there are questions as to the removal partially or totally of VAT, we must have an answer as to what to replace it with…as to where the funds are going to come from to continue the important social programmes and the major infrastructural work which are required to continue the development of our country,” he emphasised.
The minister pointed out that there is need for a serious discussion on the issues which are presented in the measures, and a clear understanding of the measures which are already in place to ensure good stable economic growth, noting that there has been steady economic growth in the country for the past seven years.
Moreover, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, Keith Scott, who made a presentation before Benn, had referred to Minister of Housing and Water and Tourism, Irfaan Ali’s presentation as a “tale of idiots”.
Alluding to this statement, Benn said, “I want to be on the side of those idiots who presented this budget which has given us seven years of growth in Guyana…that is the side of idiocy that I want to be on, because any Finance Minister, any government, any presidency, which can deliver an average of 4.5-5 percent growth over the past seven years… I believe I am on the right side of the House,” he asserted.
Nevertheless, he stated that this is not simply what the Finance Minister or the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has delivered. According to him, this is what Guyana has delivered to the regional and wider economy.
The minister further pointed out that another issue which he is not pleased about is that there seems to be an undisguised attack on the private sector by the opposition.
He stressed that it has been a clear policy that the government, through its National Development Strategy, took the approach that the resources of all Guyanese at all levels will be garnered towards the development of the country.
“The private sector is an engine of growth in Guyana’s economy, and we should not cast aspersions on the question of public private partnership, and on the question of garnering private resources into the effort to develop the country,” he stated.
Benn further related that a definitive statement is needed from the opposition benches, as to whether they indeed support the public/private partnership as one of the pillars which could move Guyana’s development forward.
In addition, he pointed to the opposition’s indication of non-support for the provisions made in budget 2013 for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), which have been called a “bail out”, among other things.
“In whose interest is this support to GPL? Who benefits from a support to GPL? Which people, which segment of the population, which class of the people?” he questioned.
The minister emphasised that, in fact, it is the poor working people, the elderly people, and pensioners who stand to benefit the most from this support.
Meanwhile, the minister also took the opportunity to commend and thank the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, and his staff for preparing and presenting “an exemplary budget.”