-Prime Minister says; discloses that 1,500 will be trained this year

PRIME Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has reported that a significant number of individuals, exceeding 3,200, have undergone training in diverse communities across Guyana from 2020 onwards. Moreover, it is anticipated that an additional 1,500 individuals will receive training in 2024.

On the final day of the budget debate, the Prime Minister expressed the government’s steadfast commitment to improving the quality of life for all citizens of Guyana.

He said: “Significant resources are allocated to provide ICT training to communities across Guyana. From 2020 to now, over 3,200 persons have been trained in communities across Guyana through several ICT training programmes including community-level basic ICT training, innovation camps, train-the-trainers, the Guyanese Girls Code, and training for persons who are blind.”

Adding: “In 2024, a further 1,500 persons will be trained in areas including basic IT, animation, coding, programming, and artificial intelligence.”

Despite facing interruptions from the opposing side, Phillips remained steadfast in illustrating the significant progress Guyana has made under the leadership of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) since assuming office in August 2020.

“This is all part of a holistic vision of growth. Our responsibility is to manage the oil revenues wisely,” he said, stressing that the diversification of the nation’s economy is a top priority of the government.

Stressing that this year’s fiscal package is “transformational,” he also said: “The allocations in this budget all form part of the necessary and imperative plans of our government.”

He went on to say: “Mr. Speaker, before August 2020, our nation was grappling with numerous challenges,” adding that these obstacles that stood in the way of the country’s development included poor economic infrastructure, inadequate policies and services, among other deficiencies.”

Reflecting on the state of Guyana under the previous APNU+AFC administration, Prime Minister Phillips said that the current government has worked assiduously to return “our country and our people to a state of hope.”

“Total neglect with zero opportunities for economic growth and the improvement of the lives of our people,” was the hallmark of the period 2015-2020, according to Phillips.
He underscored that the PPP/C administration could “talk the talk and walk the walk,” so the party’s pledges always materialise.

The Prime Minister said that Budget 2024 further serves as an example of the PPP/C’s commitment to delivering on its promises. He said it is a vehicle to foster transformation and more opportunities for all.
Phillips also related that with the massive allocations to propel growth, the annual fiscal plan will “fast-track” development.
The Prime Minister debunked the opposition’s claim that the budget is solely about distributing wealth.

He argued that it serves as a vessel for strategic investment for the country’s foundation to craft a better future.
Moreover, while refuting the arguments from the APNU+AFC Parliamentarians concerning the funds set aside for infrastructure, the Prime Minister outlined how it could create opportunities for all Guyanese.

He then set the record straight and pointed out how a significant amount of money is being allocated to the education and health sectors to bolster their capabilities.
Prime Minister Phillips outlined how the government is crafting a robust framework, and did not shy away from pointing out that the government’s investments are being praised by persons regardless of their political affiliation.

Even though the Prime Minister, within his presentation, called for the Opposition to join with the government and support them in building out Guyana to benefit all citizens, he was met with resistance to unity by the APNU+AFC.