Pay hikes, “evolved” tax system coming in 2nd term in office – Jagdeo

…miners, farmers, fishers also in line for major support

With the march toward General and Regional Elections heating up, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has unveiled a detailed and far-reaching plan for its second term in office, placing strong emphasis on financial empowerment, youth opportunities, local infrastructure, and sweeping community revitalisation.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has laid out a bold agenda that signals the PPP/C’s deepened commitment to job creation, tax reform, and improved living standards for Guyanese across all regions.
At the heart of the party’s campaign is an economic vision to put more money in people’s pockets — not only by increasing earnings but by reducing the cost of living.
Jagdeo reiterated that “every public servant — including teachers, nurses, Police Officers, firemen, and army personnel — will benefit from increased salaries and expanded allowances.” These include those under public assistance, part-time workers, and Community Service Officers (CSOs), all of whom are slated to receive increased stipends.
The Administration also plans to evolve the tax system to allow greater income retention. Measures already introduced, such as doubling the income tax threshold from $65,000 to $130,000 and offering tax-free allowances for overtime and second jobs, are just the beginning.
According to Jagdeo, “the same benefits will extend to critical sectors such as mining, fisheries, and agriculture, enabling farmers, miners, and fishers to not only save more but reinvest in their livelihoods.
Central to the PPP/C’s second-term strategy is a youth-focused development agenda. Plans include the establishment of a Development Bank that would offer zero-interest loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with special windows reserved for women and youth entrepreneurs. This move, he stated, will empower thousands to build wealth and autonomy.
Additionally, through reduced taxes on vehicles and targeted housing initiatives, young Guyanese will be better equipped to start families and gain independence. “Young people want homes, jobs, recreation, and vehicles — and that’s the direction we’re heading,” Jagdeo declared.
“The money that they earn, that they can keep more of it, and secondly, they have to spend less on things that they were spending on before. So, first of all, about more money in people’s pockets. So, clearly, as the President pointed out, every person who works for the State, at the state sector, will see increases.”
Security lights, proper drainage, garbage disposal, and community safety now top the list of residents’ concerns, especially in growing regions like the East Bank.
“People are no longer crying out for just jobs and roads. Now that they’re working, they want quality of life — better lighting, cleaner communities, and greater safety,” the VP observed.
In response, the Government has procured 100,000 LED street lights, with 4000 already deployed and the remainder expected by mid-2026; increased subventions to Neighbourhood Democratic Councils from $5 million to $30 million to strengthen garbage collection capacity; committed to building modern, containerised Police outposts with surveillance capabilities in every community, and promised a wave of micro-contracts for locals to construct concrete drains — a model designed to generate employment while solving infrastructure issues.
Addressing the cost-of-living burden, the PPP/C is also taking proactive steps to ensure equitable housing access, particularly in Indigenous communities where communal land ownership limits individuals’ ability to obtain mortgages. The party promises to develop mechanisms that allow Amerindian youth to access financial support to build homes, even on non-titled land.
“In Region One, we’ve already begun expanding road networks so residents can use regular vehicles to traverse their communities — this cuts costs and changes lives,” said Jagdeo. This vision for connectivity spans all regions, from Moraikobai in Region Five to Wakapao in Region Two.
“This is not just a coastal thing. It will be for all Guyana, and we have – we’re going to help people to own. So those kids in those communities too, many want to now do housing. Many who live in Amerindian communities where the land is communal, they have been reaching out to us and saying, how can I get the help to build too in my community? It’s not state land. And so, we have to work with them, too…” he declared.