THE most practical (but also quite simple) definition of a National Budget that I found was: A National Budget is the financial plan for a country’s government. It illustrates how much money the government intends to spend during a year, what it intends to spend it on, and where it expects to get the money to pay for that spending. It also shows where the government will get money from.

While I am certain that current affairs would have been saturated with the news of Budget 2019, there are a few areas I would still like to address.

Budget 2019 is pegged at $300.7B. That is a 12.6 per cent increase from Budget 2018, which was $267.1B. Budget 2017 was $250B. These sound like massive amounts, I mean I cannot even imagine what $300B looks like- let alone fully understand how this is going to be used to develop Guyana’s economy.

For me, I think one thing that this budget nails almost perfectly, is that it gives the population some hope that their government is trying to provide a better life for them.

I won’t say that I have analysed the budget and put my head on the chopping block to say that definitely, the money will trickle down to the average citizen. But what I will say is that I too have hope in this budget.

I read the budgetary measures and I couldn’t be happier that the government is willing to lose $3.5B just so that so relief can be given to citizens (How can you not be happy at the measures for persons with disabilities?). I couldn’t be happier that attempts are made to modernise systems in this country. And I love that it improves on the measures previously conceptualised (Like the tourism measures to reduce transportation costs).

Simultaneously, however, my hope might be dimmed by the prospects of the year 2020. While due diligence has been given this year, and in previous years, towards developing Guyana’s resources, would we really be ready for the flow of oil in 2020?

During his presentation, Minister Jordan outlined that Government intends to take advantage of oil revenue and use it to develop infrastructure, renewable energy, and telecommunications, in order to improve and induce domestic and foreign investment. This motive has been repeated many times before.

He also noted that increased expenditure on education and healthcare is also projected, so as to ensure qualitative and quantitative enhancement of human capital. With education receiving the largest sectoral chunk of the budget ($52.2B! *happy dance*), and health and security receiving decent chunks as well, I am comforted that at least moves are apace to develop important needs for Guyanese.

If it wasn’t evident before, I am tremendously interested in youth development through education and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Naturally, it pleased me when the Minister of Education commented that greater focus will be placed on integrating ICT into the formal school system, as is budgeted. And with the $375M allocated for the expansion of the ICT hubs across Guyana, so many more people in more communities are going to gain this exposure. I think these are important areas for development that are needed in general, but more importantly in an oil-producing country.

But added to the preparation for oil, 2020 is the year Regional and General elections are constitutionally due, so what would the political landscape be then? I’d hate to see Guyana’s first year as an oil producing nation also be characterised by lowly party politics. That is just another feature that is going to stagnant our country’s development.

Now this week, budget debates will begin. And really, I think that this is going to be a unique opportunity to gain insight into where the interests of the leaders of the day really lie. It might be too naive to wish for only constructive debates, but let’s hope that there won’t be ‘contempt in the house’ again, from any side.

So I’ll say it again, Budget 2019 provides hope. But I do believe that this hope must materialise into tangible development- of the people and of the country. The budget is a step in the right direction, but it is one that must be followed by other steps. Guyana is only a few months away from first oil and the country and its people must prepare.