The Government on Friday used its majority in the Business Sub-Committee of the Parliament to reduce the number of days and times for the consideration of the Budget Estimates, which is set to commence on Monday.
The move comes notwithstanding the fact that the budget is the first oil-budget and the largest in the country’s history – pegged at approximately $552.9B. In objection, the Opposition said the move is intended to minimize scrutiny of Government’s spending.
According to the Government’s Chief Whip Christopher Jones, the Government has reduced the consideration of the Budget Estimates from the traditional five days to four days, and scrutiny of constitutional agencies from 30 minutes to a mere 10 minutes.
Shortly after the meeting, A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul expressed his dissatisfaction.
On his Facebook page he wrote: “This installed Government is a national disgrace. For all previous budgets, we had 5 days to consider the estimates with 30 mins being the least time for an agency.
This budget which they are touting as the biggest for Guyana’s development will be considered in only 4 days and all the agencies have a significant reduction in time with 10 mins for a number of agencies. This is the transparency and accountability that was promised.”
