2020 National Budget provides money directly to Guyanese pockets

Dear Editor,
It has been 20 months since National Budget 2019 was adopted in the National Assembly; 628 days since the No-Confidence Motion was successfully passed on December 21st, 2018; 475 days since sitting of the National Assembly; 191 days since the March 2nd, 2020 General and Regional Elections; and 38 days following declaration of those election results on August 2, 2020, with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) being sworn in as the legitimate Government of Guyana.
The National Budget 2020 was finally presented before the Honourable House after one of the most testing, convoluted, complicated, and traumatic periods of Guyana’s post-Independence history, with the COVID-19 pandemic still here with us and in the entire world.
However, today we have seen a different approach from the PPP/C Administration, aggressively and scientifically addressing this pandemic at the national level by refocusing financial and other resources to improve testing capacity.
As I listening to the presentation of the 2020 National Budget, made by the Honourable charismatic Minister Juan Edghill, I kept saying to myself that this must bring a smile to every Guyanese face, since, for the first time in the past five years, Guyanese were given the opportunity, through the budget, to see money return directly to their pockets.
Let me take this opportunity to thank our highly professional and motivated budget team, whose members dedicated their time every day and night for long hours to achieve this National Budget 2020 under the leadership of former President, and now Vice President, the Honourable Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.
This budget is expected to benefit every Guyanese and every sector. Normally, the National Budget takes more than 150 days to prepare; however, this achievement was significant, since the 2020 National Budget demanded a quick response. As promised the people of Guyana by the PPP/C – that once the election results are declared, it would hit the road at a fast speed to restore normalcy and stability – programmes and policies will be implemented to quickly turn around the situation which the PPP/C inherited, and set the stage for implementation of the many transformative projects promised the people in the PPP/C manifesto.
Guyanese, this budget embodies a no-nonsense, no- frills, no-fluff, people- centred, pro-poor, results- oriented approach to launch this nation back on its positive developmental trajectory, where every Guyanese would benefit from this budget. Our nation has been tried and tested over the past five years, but was not defeated. We were under severe duress, but Guyanese endured, and we remained resolute and peaceful in our defence of democracy.
We, as a people, were provided with positive support from the local and international communities to defend the will of the people to elect a Government of their choice; now under the leadership of President Dr Irfaan Ali, which is a clear indication that democracy prevails always. We are all aware of the tremendous potential of our nation. many people from around the world will come to see for themselves the human and physical richness with which our wonderful land and people have been blessed.
At the same time, the country is faced with many challenges inherited from the previous APNU/AFC Government: reducing poverty, developing human resources, growing with equity, rebuilding infrastructure, overcoming the debt burden, protecting the environment, and managing our resources better. Overcoming these challenges would take a concerted and ongoing effort. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government has already made great strides in rebuilding the country, and has restored our people’s confidence in a bright future.
Guyanese, we are acutely aware that the transition we are going through will be a little difficult. In the last five years, our people have endured much hardship. Their impatience for rapid improvement in their living standards is very understandable. Our new PPP/C Government has begun working, and will continue to work tirelessly to meet the aspirations of every citizen, so that each and every Guyanese can fulfill his or her potential.
At the same time, we should recognise that these problems cannot be solved overnight. While Government continues to campaign vigorously for comprehensive peace and harmony, the harsh reality is that our people must come together as if we are going to acquire social and economic development. The Government has set aside over 30% of the $330 billion 2020 National Budget for the health and education sectors

Sincerely,
David Adams