-Minister Walrond says as she defends Budget 2022

IN defending the $552.9 billion National Budget, Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, said that, unlike the APNU+AFC, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has always been proactive and focused on meeting the needs of citizens and achieving sustainable economic growth.

Minister Walrond, who was at the time contributing to the 2022 budget debate, emphasised that the party is not one that fails to keep the promises it makes to the citizens.

Speaking directly to the needs of citizens, she noted that the opposition-led APNU+AFC government “made promises” while the PPPC government is actively working to execute projects and initiatives to improve the lives of every Guyanese.

She pointed out that one major undertaking by the APNU+AFC Coalition government that was redesigned to cater to the people of Guyana is the COVID-19 relief programme. She noted that the APNU+AFC administration’s programme was selective as many did not benefit from the initiative.
“In typical fashion, our friends on the other side opted for a cumbersome programme which it appears not even they could implement.

It is therefore not surprising that the Auditor General reports that out of the 11,000 plus persons found eligible for this grant, barely 1,000 benefitted.”

She said that that “lack of proper execution” suggested that the opposition, when in government, displayed gross negligence with regards to its responsibility to the people of Guyana. This, she said reflected that the APNU+AFC government “just didn’t care”.

“They really don’t care about the poor, the struggling, the most vulnerable amongst us, for if they did, when they had the power to make a difference, they would have done something about it,” Minister Walrond contended.

BECAUSE WE CARE
She told the National Assembly that the ‘Because we care’ cash grant has now become one of the most notable initiatives government has implemented. She reminded that this was a PPP/C initiative that was “snuffed out” by the APNU+AFC during its stint in office.

She noted that the government reinstated the initiative and has worked strategically to improve it to benefit the children of Guyana, after its return to office in August 2020.

Under the 2022 budget, the government increased the cash grant from $15,000 to $25,000 for each school child, whether in public or private school. Parents will also receive an extra $1,000 on the $4,000 school uniform voucher which is distributed annually.

The two sets of increases will place an additional $2.2 billion in disposable income into the pockets of parents.

Minister Walrond noted that the record of the APNU+AFC government to stifle proactive and people-centered programmes is reflective that any policy direction taken by the government to improve the lives of the people will be met with criticism, opposition, and no possible suggestions for improvement.

“Our honorable colleagues on the opposite benches cannot run on their record, they have to run from their record, because that record is one of destruction, reeked on the Guyanese people. Mr., Speaker their only record is one that is long on promises but short on delivery,” said Minister Walrond.

SMALL BUSINESS GRANT
With regards to her ministry, Minister Walrond highlighted that in the 2022 budget some $300 million will be injected into the Small Business Development Fund.

The fund, provides cash grants to local entrepreneurs and is instrumental in building capacity in the local business community. It also serves to enhance the capacity of small business owners to effectively develop and manage their businesses

Minister Walrond disclosed that the Small Business Bureau (SBB) in 2021 distributed 746 small business development grants to the tune of $329 million. She noted that since this fund was set up, it was used to provide aid to the most vulnerable members of society.

“Last year an organisation which represents persons living with disabilities requested the ministry to assist them with becoming job creators since it was a great challenge to get jobs otherwise.

We then created a special training programme for the more than 50 applicants, several of whom have already received their grant disbursements and are now gainfully employed,” said Minister Walrond.