Amid fiery debates: Opposition MP finds merit in Budget 2025

…supports “progress, peace, prosperity and commitment”
– another Opposition MP draws ire for downplaying hospitality workers

Budget 2025 was naturally supported by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Members of Parliament. But in a surprise twist, the budget also drew support from Opposition Parliamentarian Geeta Chandan-Edmonds, who praised aspects of the budget like the One Guyana Digital initiative and funding for the security sector, but also made recommendations of her own.
During day one of the 2025 Budget debate, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, Geeta Chandan-Edmonds, took a principled stand on the budget and made it clear she and her colleagues are not here to obstruct progress.

Chandan-Edmonds, a former Magistrate and People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR) General Secretary who is one of the opposition’s point persons on security, hailed aspects of the budget she recognised as transformational in nature.
“No budget is perfect Mr Speaker, and this one is no exception. It is our duty as legislators not to settle for good enough, but to demand more. More equity, more inclusion, and more action. The Opposition’s role here is not to obstruct progress but it is to push for better outcomes.”
“Criticism is not opposition for its own sake, it is a call to address gaps, correct missteps and to ensure that Government serves all people, regardless of their religion, class or creed,” Chandan-Edmonds said.
The MP made it clear she supports measures in the budget that promote progress, peace, prosperity and commitment.
Measures like the One Guyana Digital initiative attracted praise from the MP, who nevertheless urged a critical analysis of the project.
“I lend my full support to the positive budgetary measures of this budget. Let us make this a moment where we rise above the fray, put the interest of our people first and demonstrate that we are worthy of the trust that they have placed in us. I support progress, peace prosperity, and commitment. I also support ambitions, liberty and inspirations,” she added.

When it comes to the security sector, the MP acknowledged the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) commitment to training, as well as the PPP/C Government’s commitment to modernising the police force.
“The Guyana Police Force has demonstrated some commitment to improving law enforcement capabilities, professionalism and road safety, through extensive training, programmes and resource acquisition. There has been significant budget allocation for training, in this area.”
Allocation of about $250 million annually for training should underscore a prioritisation of modern policing and capacity building. Training, however, must encompass specialised areas to address the multi-faceted challenges faced by law enforcement,” Chandan-Edmonds said.

Hospitality workers
Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Susan Rodrigues, came out swinging against opposition Alliance For Change (AFC) MP Juretha Fernandes’ previous presentation.
In Fernandes’ presentation, she was unimpressed with the thousands of jobs being created, including in the hospitality sector, going on to downplay jobs such as those in local hotels.

“To tackle the high and increasing cost of living, budget 2025 is now proposing that every citizen work longer hours or get an extra job to cover your expenses in oil rich Guyana. In addition, this administration proudly claims that their idea of job creation is creating way for the building of hotels,” Fernandes said.
“To work in 2025, Mr Speaker, with the largest GDP per capita, the PPPC’s bright idea of job creation is for its citizens to wash hotel sheets or mop hotel floors. And further, Mr Speaker, their idea of job creation is for our citizens to work in a country and work in hotels that they cannot afford to stay in. This is the reality of the PPP Administration.”
However, her words did not go over well with the Government speakers that came afterwards, with Rodrigues lambasting the opposition MP, while lauding the work done by workers in the hospitality industry.
“I come from a working-class family. A grandmother who scrubbed floors and cleaned people’s houses for a living. A grandmother who worked in the kitchens… and I listened to my colleague on the other side of the house disparage those who work in honest jobs. Every job has dignity. This is the mindset I want people listening at home to see. This is the mindset of the people who make up the members of the opposition,” the Minister said.

In a statement afterwards, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond also castigated Fernandes for dismissing the contributions of hotel workers. She also cited the fact every hotel in Guyana has a majority of local staff, from junior positions to the most senior ones.
“At the Pegasus Hotel, all 19 department heads are Guyanese, with the sole exception of the General Manager. This hotel employs 215 individuals, all of whom are Guyanese. At the Aiden Hotel, 9 out of 10 managerial roles are held by Guyanese, including the Deputy Manager, Housekeeping Manager, Food and Beverage Manager, Accountant Team, Sous Chef, and Captains. An impressive 92 per cent of the hotel’s workforce is Guyanese.”
“Princess Hotel has three expats among 250 staff, which is a low percentage of 1.2 per cent. At the Georgetown Marriott Hotel, there are 0.85 per cent of foreigners (3/354). MP Fernandes not only dismisses these contributions but also blatantly devalues the honest labour of housekeeping staff—dedicated Guyanese who work hard, support their families, and uplift their lives through dignified employment,” Walrond countered.