–Dr. Jagdeo says; affirms it will reflect continued support for progressive annual accumulation of wealth, welfare of citizens

GENERAL Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday, said that Budget 2024 will not include any new taxes.

Dr. Jagdeo, while responding to questions on plans for the fiscal year at his weekly news conference, said: “At the national level, there will be no new taxes.”

He further said that this year’s budget will see the continuation of many infrastructural projects, both at the national and community levels.

“You are going to see the continuation of infrastructure, as we said before, of different nature; you are going to see economic infrastructure continuing, projects that will expand our productive capacity.

“You will see support for industries. You will see social infrastructure, that’s community roads, health centres, health facilities, and education facilities recreational facilities, large amongst being done in the communities themselves,” he related.

Guyanese, Dr. Jagdeo said, the country could expect to see the continued support of progressive annual accumulation of wealth and welfare to citizens.

“You will see more help to vulnerable groups, significant support to women [and] elderly. There are specific initiatives that would tackle those in a major way that you will see. You’re going to continue to see support for job creation and expansion of job creation,” the General Secretary said.

The reality of what will be included in the budget is a direct response to the narrative of the opposition that the budget will deliver no real gains to people.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh on Monday announced that Budget 2024 will be presented to the National Assembly on Monday, January 15, 2024.

In keeping with the government’s consultative approach to governance, Dr. Singh has been, over the last several months, meeting and consulting with various stakeholders, including the private sector.

Only last week, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, accompanied by a number of government ministers, led the turning of the sod for a new US$35 million four-lane Mackenzie/Bridge at Linden, Region 10.

While there, the Head of State said the new bridge is not “a stand-alone” project, but part of a huge developmental plan for the region and the country. Last week, as well, as the government continued on its aggressive development thrust, the sod was turned for a new US$161 million Regional Hospital at New Amsterdam, one of several modern hospitals being constructed around the country as part of the government’s agenda to provide world-class services to citizens.

The Head of State also led a government team in turning the sod for the new US$28 million 12-storey Brickdam Police Station. During that event, President Ali indicated that his government is developing a security architecture that will focus on proactive and intelligent policing to create a culture of peace and prosperity in Guyana.

In his New Year’s speech to the nation, the President had indicated: “We have set Guyana on a course of sustained growth and prosperity,” and that this year “will see us advance more rapidly along this path as we shape the destiny of present and future generations.”
This budget will detail the government’s expenditure and revenue plans for the coming year. It is also expected to continue the trend of delivering on its promises to continuously improve the life of every Guyanese.

President Ali, during his New Year speech, had also noted that Guyanese are going to benefit from improved infrastructural and public services, including water, housing and education, and several major road projects that are slated for completion to make commuting easier.

Budget 2024 aligns with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration’s Manifesto of 2020, which laid the foundation for prosperity for all.

It will be shaped upon two primary pillars, which include the implementation of mechanisms aimed at increasing disposable income in the hands of citizens, and the development of Guyana’s economic and social infrastructure.

Last year, on January 16, Dr. Singh presented a $789.1 billion budget in the National Assembly, under the theme, “Improving Lives Today, Building Prosperity for Tomorrow.”

That budget saw critical development programmes for the government being fast-tracked, and many more expanded to reflect its continued transformational agenda for the country.

This year’s budget will be the fifth to be presented by the current administration since it assumed office in August 2020, and is the fourth by Dr. Singh, who commenced his current tenure as Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance in November 2020.