For the third time this year, government is seeking supplementary financing – this time around $3 billion – and the requests this time around include $171 million for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) for its involvement in several security operations and $100 million for consultancies on border matters for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Financial Paper No.3 of 2017 is seeking $519.9 million in current estimates and $2.45 billion in capital estimates.
The supplementary request for the GDF underlines the additional cost to the country from the Camp Street prison break on July 9. The GDF is seeking the $171 million to cover additional office equipment, vehicle spares, maintenance cost, transportation and for the maintaining of equipment such as stoves and generators. The sum requested will also cover rental of tents, chairs and the purchase of other necessities.
With stepped up activity on the border controversy with Venezuela, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is seeking an extra $100 million for consultancy services. The earlier voted provision was $200 million.