Govt seeks $44.7B in supplementary funding from National Assembly

– to undertake massive transformational projects to benefit all Guyanese

The government is seeking approval from the National Assembly for a whopping $44.794 billion in supplementary funding for a number of programmes including support to hinterland communities and several infrastructural works across the country.

This Financial Paper No. 1 of 2022 was tabled in the House on Thursday by Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh, who requested that it be considered at the next National Assembly sitting.
Of the $44,794,011,175 billion being requested, $12.2 billion are current estimates and the remaining $32.5 billion are capital estimates.
The funds being sought are for various ministries and other state agencies including $3.116 billion under the Amerindian Affairs Ministry to “support Amerindian and Hinterland Communities.”
During the National Toshaos Conference (NTC) 2022 last week, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced that the government will be seeking this money to immediately address the interest of indigenous people, adding that a large portion of the $3 billion will go towards youth empowerment.
Another $1.296 billion is being requested for the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry to facilitate new infrastructural development initiatives and to support regional economic transformation programmes.
Under the Ministry of Agriculture, a request was made for $1.908 billion for support to the Black Belly Sheep Project and $300 million to support fisherfolks as well promote other agricultural initiatives, while an additional $1.4 billion to support the Sugar Industry – all capital estimates.
On the current side, another $2 billion for operational expenses of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is being sought as part of a $3.5 billion request. This also includes operational expenses for other agencies such as the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) – $1.2 billion, the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) – $44.1 million and the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) $218.9 million.
Moreover, another $4.439 billion is being sought for the Public Works Ministry for rehabilitative works on 28 pontoons of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), for the acquisition of spares and the completion of rehabilitation of ferry vessels, and for upgrading of roads and drains in several communities for which some $3 billion requested.
To facilitate the completion of the critical sea and river defence works as well as new works to address areas of erosion along the Mahaicony shoreline, an additional $550 million was requested. Some $525 million was also sought to facilitate the advancement of preliminary works to support the East Coast-East Bank Road Linkage project.
Only last month, the Guyana Government signed a US$106 million contract with Indian contracting firm, Ashoka Buildcon Limited, for the construction of the highly anticipated four-lane bypass road that will link the East Coast of Demerara corridor at Ogle directly to the East Bank Demerara corridor at Eccles.
In addition, supplementary funds to the tune of $21 billion for the Housing and Water Ministry was requested and of that amount, $15.9 billion is to facilitate infrastructural works in new and existing housing areas, as well as to promote the housing programme.
The remaining sum is for works in the water supply sector including the completion of water supply interventions in hinterland areas, and resources to increase treated water coverage through the construction and upgrading of water treatment plants as well as improving and expanding water supply systems in underserved and unserved areas. Monies were listed too for the replacement of aging and deteriorated pipelines in Georgetown along with the upgrading of the water treatment plants in Linden and drilling of wells.
Other funds listed in the Financial Paper include $50 million for the Office of the Prime Minister; $40.5 million for the Finance Ministry as well as another $6 billion current estimates which include $4 billion to pay electricity arrears to Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL).
Meanwhile, $700 million is being sought for the Human Services and Social Security Ministry to facilitate public assistance to persons living with disabilities. The Education Ministry is requesting $307 million for the construction of a primary school in Wakenaam and to purchase school furniture for the reopening of school.
Another $216 million was requested for the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to procure tools and machinery for training programmes, maintenance of the state’s swimming pools and upgrading of community grounds.
Under the Health Ministry, $332.6 million is sought for the government’s collaboration with the US-based Mount Sinai International. Earlier this month, Guyana signed an agreement with Mount Sinai and Fess Corp to transform the country’s healthcare system. The collaboration will see the establishment of Centres of Excellence for heart and cancer care as well as discounts for Guyanese patients at the Mount Sinai facility.
For the Home Affairs Ministry, $22.4 million in capital and another $838 million in current estimates are being requested. Another $100 million is being sought to cover legal fees under the Legal Affairs Ministry.
A sum of $435.7 was requested for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) for the acquisition of a helicopter and the maintenance of the army’s Beechcraft.
Supplementary funds to the tune of $36.8 were also earmarked in the Financial Paper for Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) to expand their respective work programmes.