In the ongoing budget debates in Guyana’s Parliament, two legislators, representing the government and the main opposition, engaged in a heated exchange over the management of the country’s economy.
Opposition Member of Parliament Juretha Fernandes asserted that the trillion-dollar budget presented lacks benefits for ordinary citizens.
Fernandes contended that the APNU/AFC coalition, during its tenure from 2015 to 2020, did a better job managing the economy and criticized the current government for not doing enough to sustain the non-oil sectors.
In response, Minister Deodat Indar, representing the government, rebuffed Fernandes’ claims, asserting that the PPP (People’s Progressive Party) has consistently produced sound economic policies with favorable outcomes.
Indar argued that the economy was mismanaged under the APNU/AFC coalition, and their policies brought tremendous hardship to the poor and vulnerable in Guyana.
Minister Indar referred to policy initiatives discontinued under the coalition but reintroduced by the PPP administration in 2020.
He concluded by stating that Budget 2024 caters to the needs of every class of Guyanese and covers all sectors.
The clash highlights differing perspectives on the economic management of Guyana and sets the tone for further discussions during the budget debates.