The 2025 National Budget, unveiled yesterday by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh under the theme “A secure, prosperous, and sustainable Guyana,” has drawn sharp criticism from observers who view it as an insult to the country’s struggling poor. Far from addressing the widening gap between Guyana’s economic potential and the dire reality for many citizens, the budget has been labeled by critics as “callous,” “deceptive,” and a “hatchet job” on the hopes of the nation’s most vulnerable.
Prominent political commentator, GHK Lall, in a column today lambasted the budget as a calculated manoeuvre to pacify the masses with token gestures while the government funnels Guyana’s oil wealth into the hands of the elite. “Secure, prosperous, and sustainable for whom?” Lall demanded. “If Guyanese couldn’t benefit meaningfully from a 43.6% GDP growth last year, how can they hope for better under a mere 10.6% growth this year?”
Lall’s dissection of the budget revealed what he called a shameful disregard for ordinary citizens. He highlighted that while the budget increased by a staggering GY$236 billion, pensioners received a paltry GY$5,000 monthly increase—equivalent to an insulting US$25—to cope with rising food prices in a country where inflation statistics appear wildly understated.
“The government casually boasts about billions in revenues while asking pensioners to survive on pennies. This isn’t just negligence; it’s cruelty,” Lall declared.
Token measures and election gimmicks
The budget’s much-touted GY$55,000 per schoolchild handout was also criticised as a poorly disguised election gimmick. According to critics, the measure offers only a modest GY$4,583 monthly per child, woefully insufficient to counter soaring costs of living.
“Is the PPP Government so indifferent to the daily struggles of parents and pensioners? These handouts are not solutions—they’re distractions,” Lall asserted.
Critics have widely condemned the government’s focus on one-off cash grants and tax reliefs as a strategy to curry favor with voters ahead of the next election. They argue that these gimmicks do little to address the systemic issues plaguing Guyana, including poverty, corruption, and an absence of strategic development.
Skewed priorities and corruption opportunities
Observers have also accused the government of deliberately avoiding overarching reforms to create more opportunities for corrupt practices. “The budget is riddled with poorly planned initiatives designed to channel funds into the pockets of cronies,” said one analyst, who pointed to vague allocations and insufficient transparency surrounding major projects.
Lall joined this chorus of criticism, calling attention to the government’s decision to withdraw up to US$2.5 billion from the Oil Fund while allocating less than 10% of that amount to direct relief for struggling citizens. “Withdrawing GY$500 billion and earmarking only GY$50 billion for much-needed relief shows just how resourceful the PPP Government has become in skimping on real help,” Lall said.
The absence of a comprehensive development strategy has only deepened concerns. “Guyana is flush with oil money, yet there’s no clear plan to ensure this wealth translates into tangible improvements for the average citizen. Instead, we see reckless spending and a lack of accountability,” remarked another critic.
Hollow tax reliefs and sloppy planning
The budget’s income tax adjustments—such as a 3% decrease in the tax rate and the first GY$50,000 of overtime being tax-free—were dismissed as superficial measures that fail to address the economic hardship of most Guyanese.
“What does an extra GY$17,083 per month mean for struggling workers and parents? It’s barely enough to buy the basics, let alone lift anyone out of poverty,” Lall argued.
Adding insult to injury, critics highlighted how even senior government officials appear to be exploiting the system. “The situation is so dire that ministers earning millions of dollars per month have turned to side businesses to make ends meet. This is the state of Guyana’s economy under the PPP regime,” Lall noted scathingly.
A budget that betrays
Lall concluded his critique by painting a grim picture of Guyana’s future under the current administration. “This budget doesn’t just fail to deliver—it actively betrays the people of Guyana,” he said. “The PPP Government’s refusal to prioritize meaningful reforms, combined with its penchant for sloppy planning, leaves the door wide open for corruption while ordinary citizens continue to suffer.”
Other critics have echoed Lall’s sentiments, describing the budget as a cynical exercise in public relations rather than a genuine effort to improve lives. “This is a government more concerned with staying in power than with addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality,” one observer stated.
As Guyana continues to produce over 650,000 barrels of oil per day, the disconnect between the nation’s wealth and the living standards of its people remains a glaring indictment of the PPP Government’s leadership. For Lall and others, the message is clear: without systemic changes, Guyana’s economic boom will remain an illusion for the majority, while the elite reap the spoils.
