The Alliance For Change (AFC) is calling on the government to include provisions in Budget 2023 that would benefit and enrich all Guyanese and ensure that the nation’s oil & gas endowments uplift all sectors.
In a statement yesterday, the AFC noted that for the first time in the nation’s history, earnings and deposits into the Natural Resource Fund provide an opportunity to transform Guyana and ensure that all citizens benefit directly. The party took credit as part of the Coalition, for the strategic planning and management of the economy while in government, which it says resulted in the swift emergence of the oil and gas industry and first oil by December 2019.
The AFC therefore insists that Budget 2023, which will be read on January 16, must be seen as people-centred, as it will be the largest ever, given the increased earnings from the oil and gas sector. Therefore, it argues, the benefits from the monies must be equally shared by all sectors of the citizenry.
“For the first time in our history, earnings and deposits into our Natural Resource Fund are providing an opportunity to transform Guyana and ensure that all her citizens benefit directly. With this in mind and as a first principle, the AFC is prepared to support Budget 2023 only on the condition that it makes provisions that would benefit all Guyanese and not just a select few. It is time to put the people first.”
AFC noted that already, some $209 billion deposited into the Natural Resource Fund during 2022 would be available for spending this year. Therefore, it expects the following at a minimum to be included:
1. Free education at the University of Guyana.
2. Full subsidy for all types of vehicles on all bridge/pontoon crossings, including Berbice Bridge, Demerara Harbour Bridge, Wismar Bridge, Kurupukari, Mahdia crossing, Bartica crossing and the introduction of free speedboat services to all school children and medical personnel from the Vreed-en-Hoop to Georgetown, Grove, East Bank Demerara to Georgetown and Rosignol/New Amsterdam. These subsidies will reduce consumer costs, resulting in more families’ disposable income. It will also reduce traffic build-up due to eliminating waiting time to pay tolls, particularly on the Demerara Harbour Bridge. It is anticipated that these proposed subsidies will cost 1.4 per cent of the 2022 NRF funds but will benefit ordinary working-class citizens.
3. An increase in the minimum wage to $150,000 with corresponding adjustments to personal income tax would see persons earning minimum wage not paying income tax and a staggered schedule that would reduce current income tax payable.
4. An increase in Old Age Pension to $50,000
5. An increase in Disability Benefits to $40,000
6. A monthly electricity subsidy for all categories of consumers; $5,000 for domestic consumers, $10,000 for commercial and $15,000 for industrial.
7. Reduce VAT to 12%.
8. Provide duty-free concessions and VAT exemption on equipment and machinery for all businesses involved in agriculture, as proposed by the private sector.
9. New shelters across all Administrative Regions for women seeking respite and to escape abusive relationships. These shelters would support the victims of domestic violence to restore their lives.
According to the AFC, these are but a few provisions they expect to see in Budget 2023.
“It is time that all the people of Guyana enjoy the benefits and not the unequal allocations we have seen which makes the rich in our society richer. The cries of our ordinary citizens of the high cost of living confirms that they are not seeing the improvements directly in their pockets. Budget 2023 has the power to change that”, the part said.
The AFC recently ended its alliance with A Partnership for National Unity.
