IN a fiery response to opposition parliamentarians during day one of the budget debate, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill defended the far-reaching benefits of the $1.558 trillion fiscal plan.
The budget caters to the upliftment of Guyanese families, the ordinary farmer, children, small businesses and vulnerable groups, as well as makes provisions for strategic infrastructure.
Minister Edghill praised the Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for finance Dr. Ashni Singh and his technical team for such a “fantastic budget.”
He was the first government speaker to contribute to the budget debate, and he did not hesitate to set the tone by defending Budget 2026.
The minister’s contribution was a strong rebuke to the first two presentations from the opposition bench, and a thorough explanation of how all Guyanese will benefit.
He slammed the main parliamentary opposition for either misreading or deliberately misrepresenting Budget 2026, tearing into the reckless claims that the $1.558 trillion budget is mainly financed by oil revenue.
The minister quickly schooled We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) member and first time Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Andre Lewis for peddling untruths regarding oil revenues.
Minister Edghill reminded the opposition bench that the $1.558 trillion budget is funded by $580 billion non-tax revenue, while the withdrawal from the Natural Resources fund (NRF) is $495 billion.
“That’s the total amount of oil money that is financing this budget. Please, rewrite your written statements and let your consultants do better,” Minister Edghill said.
The minister further emphasised that the budget positively impacts citizens, including families with newborns receiving the newborn grant, school children benefitting from the ‘Because We Care’ grant, 106,100 pensioners receiving increased pensions and Guyanese aged 18 and over benefiting from the national cash grant of $100,000.
There is also a plethora of programmes that target farmers, fisherfolk, single parents, tour guides, persons with disabilities and hinterland and riverine communities.
Dr Lewis had claimed that secure and stable employment is still “out of reach” for many.
However, Minister Edghill rebutted these claims and reminded the House, while there was economic devastation and mass unemployment under the previous A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)+ Alliance For Change (AFC) administration, this has changed under the PPP/C since 2020.
While emphasising that Budget 2026 is a “well-thought-out, people-oriented, pro-poor, service-oriented development-focused” plan, the minister said since 2020 to now, the PPP/C has created more than 100,000 jobs.
Minister Edghill further pushed back against criticisms related to the allocation towards infrastructure, stating that the opposition bench lacks the fundamental understanding of its impact on the lives of citizens.
Citing the massive infrastructural projects such as the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge, Heroes Highway, Ogle-Eccles link and the McKenzie-Wismar Bridge, the minister described these projects as transformative and underscored how everyday lives, connectivity and economic activity have already improved or set to improve.
DECENTRALISED DEVELOPMENT
While opposition MPs claimed that transformation is unequal across Guyana, Minister Edghill countered this by detailing development nationwide, including new schools and hospitals, wharves, bridges and regional road networks.
For instance, in Region One, a 4,000-foot airstrip is being constructed, which will mirror Ogle.
“When we build airstrips, we bring down the cost of living for people in those areas. Lowering transportation costs for food means a lower cost of living, and more ferries reduce cargo shipping costs, ensuring food is available in the regions and that products can reach markets to support economic advancement,” Edghill said.
Further, while APNU MP Vinceroy Jordan claimed that Region Five is not receiving adequate support and development, Minister Edghill pointed to the developments taking place there.
He referenced the massive investments in drainage and irrigation, and the new four-lane road from the Mahaica Bridge to the Abary Bridge which are in the works, and the continuation of Phase Two from Abary all the way to Rosignol.
“That is what the PPP/C is doing, putting people first,” he said.