In a fiery parliamentary speech, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton delivered a scathing critique of the government’s 2025 budget, accusing the administration of economic mismanagement, reckless spending, and prioritizing the wealthy elite over the average Guyanese citizen. Norton argued that the budget, rather than being a roadmap for national development, is a “slush fund” designed to benefit a select few while doing little to improve the lives of the working class.
A Budget for the Elite?
Norton framed the budget as one that enriches the upper echelons of Guyanese society at the expense of the majority. “This budget puts wealth in the hands of the few—the PPP elites, families, friends, and favorites,” he declared. According to him, the allocation of resources is fundamentally flawed, focusing disproportionately on large-scale infrastructure projects while neglecting critical areas such as education, healthcare, and direct social support.
He accused the government of engaging in “fudged numbers” and manipulating statistics to paint a false picture of economic prosperity. “The numbers are fudged,” Norton argued. “They hide the reality behind the use of percentages rather than actual figures. It is a slush fund and a recipe for waste and illegal enrichment.”
One of Norton’s key criticisms was that the budget lacked a coherent, long-term economic vision. “More importantly, it is not guided by a well-thought-out vision. It is the lumping together of projects that do not constitute a national plan,” he said, implying that the government was engaged in haphazard spending rather than strategic development.
The Human Development Deficit
Despite Guyana’s booming oil revenues, Norton contended that the government has failed to invest in people. “There is a poor allocation of resources, especially the over-focus on infrastructure at the expense of the development of our human resources and the working people of Guyana,” he stated.
Guyana’s vast oil wealth, which should be a catalyst for nationwide prosperity, is not trickling down to the average citizen, he argued. The budget, in his view, continues to ignore key sectors such as education, healthcare, and job creation in favor of large infrastructure projects that benefit select contractors.
Critics have pointed out that while major highways, bridges, and luxury real estate developments are springing up, many communities still lack access to quality schools, hospitals, and social safety nets. “You cannot claim to be transforming a country when the small man is getting nothing,” Norton said.
Oil Wealth and Reckless Spending
One of the most alarming aspects of the budget, according to Norton, is the government’s decision to spend 95% of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF)—Guyana’s oil revenue savings—this year. This, he warned, is a “criminal, dangerous” move that puts the country at serious financial risk. “At the current rate of depletion of funds from oil, there will be little or no savings, little or no money to invest, and little or no money to cushion the ill effects of a decline in oil prices,” he cautioned.
Given the volatility of oil markets, Norton stressed that the government should be prioritizing long-term savings and diversification of the economy rather than rapid, unchecked spending. The projected decline in global oil prices to $71 per barrel in 2025 should serve as a warning, he argued. “Such a decline in oil has serious consequences for GDP growth in Guyana,” he stated, highlighting that the government’s spending spree is unsustainable and could leave the country vulnerable in the near future.
The Alternative Vision
Norton assured that a future coalition government would take a drastically different approach. He promised a more balanced allocation of resources, focusing on sustainable economic diversification, investing in human capital, and ensuring greater accountability in government spending.
“The next coalition government will reallocate the resources in a way to ensure their effective and efficient use,” he said. He emphasized the need for a robust non-oil sector development plan to prevent Guyana’s economy from becoming entirely dependent on petroleum exports.
He also called for increased transparency and fiscal responsibility in managing the country’s finances, proposing that oil revenues be strategically invested to create lasting wealth for future generations. “We will change the law to ensure oil resources are not plundered and misused, and that those resources are effectively managed and invested to transform the non-oil sector,” he asserted.
Norton’s speech reflects growing concerns among many Guyanese who feel left out of the country’s newfound economic wealth. Rising costs of living, housing shortages, and income inequality have fueled frustration among citizens who expected more direct benefits from the oil boom.
As the 2025 elections approach, the budget debate will likely be a major campaign issue, with the opposition positioning itself as the champion of economic fairness and responsible governance. Whether Norton’s critique will resonate strongly enough with voters to shift political tides remains to be seen, but his warning about reckless spending and misplaced priorities is sure to be a point of contention in the coming months.
