2025 budget fails to address pressing needs of Guyana’s citizens-Jaiprashad

By Mark DaCosta- In a passionate address to the National Assembly, Dineshwar Jaiprashad, Member of Parliament (MP) for Region 6 and a representative of the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, delivered a scathing critique of the government’s 2025 budget. Jaiprashad, who has served as a parliamentarian since 2020, argued that the budget fails to address the pressing needs of Guyana’s citizens, particularly in areas such as labour rights, education, healthcare, and public services. He called for urgent revisions to ensure equitable distribution of the nation’s oil wealth and to improve the quality of life for all Guyanese.

Jaiprashad began by highlighting the lack of comprehensive stakeholder consultation in the budget’s formulation. He accused the government of engaging only a select segment of the population, resulting in a proposal that overlooks the struggles of ordinary citizens. “The needs of the population are growing every day due to high inflation and the rising cost of living,” he stated, emphasising that the budget must prioritise the most vulnerable.

The MP, who serves as the Shadow Minister for Labour, expressed deep concern over the inadequate allocation of resources to the Ministry of Labour. With a mere $1.235 billion (less than 0.1% of the total 1.318 trillion-dollar budget) designated for labour, Jaiprashad argued that the ministry is ill-equipped to enforce labour laws and ensure workplace safety. He pointed to the alarming statistic of 32 workplace deaths in 2024, with a projected target of 20 deaths for 2025. “How can we accept a target of 20 deaths? The goal should be zero,” he declared.

Jaiprashad also criticised the exploitation of workers, particularly in the private sector, where many earn as little as GY$60,000 dollars (approximately US$290-300) per month. “In an oil-rich nation, expecting workers to survive on less than 10 USD a day is unacceptable,” he said. He called for urgent reforms to address the rising costs of housing, food, and transportation, which disproportionately affect low-income earners.

The MP turned his attention to the education sector, where he identified systemic failures that contribute to high dropout rates. He noted that approximately 5,000 youths leave the school system annually, many due to financial pressures. Jaiprashad proposed extending compulsory education to 16 years, up from the current requirement of 14 years and 9 months. “If we had implemented this policy in 2010, we would not be facing a labour shortage today,” he argued.

He also called for the government to cover the cost of CSEC exams for all students, citing the financial burden on families. “Paying CSEC fees will reduce dropout rates, promote equity, and build a more educated workforce,” he said. Additionally, Jaiprashad advocated for expanding the school feeding programme to include daily meals for secondary school students, noting that the current allocation of 55,000 dollars per child annually is insufficient to cover transportation and other expenses.

Jaiprashad expressed grave concerns about the state of Guyana’s healthcare system, particularly in Region 6. He highlighted the poor conditions at the New Amsterdam Hospital, where outdated equipment and inadequate facilities hinder patient care. “The chairs doctors sit on are worse than the one my clerk uses,” he remarked. He also called for better salaries and working conditions for nurses, who face a staggering patient-to-nurse ratio of 1,500 to 1.

The MP further criticised the government’s handling of public services, noting disparities in pay and benefits among public servants. He urged the government to address these inequities and provide uniform allowances for all public servants, not just specific groups like teachers and nurses. “Why are general public servants treated like modern-day slaves?” he asked.

Jaiprashad did not spare the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, which he described as “the most failed ministry in Region 6.” He lamented the lack of completed sports facilities and the misuse of funds, such as the construction of unnecessary toilets in playfields. “Children deserve access to proper sports facilities, not half-finished projects,” he said.

In agriculture, he criticised the government’s failure to revive the sugar industry, despite repeated promises. “If grass can grow due to rain, why can’t sugarcane?” he quipped, dismissing officials’ explanations for the industry’s struggles.

Finally, Jaiprashad called for better compensation and resources for local government officials, including mayors and councillors. He proposed establishing fire service units and social workers in each Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to improve community services.

Jaiprashad’s speech underscored the need for a more inclusive and equitable budget that addresses the real challenges facing Guyana. He urged the government to prioritise the welfare of its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, and to ensure that the nation’s oil wealth benefits all. “We have the resources to transform our country,” he said. “Let us use them wisely.”