3RD SITTING – THIRTEENTH PARLIAMENT | 2026 BUDGET DEBATE | DAY 3| PART 2

Mr. Speaker,

thank you. Members, please be seated.

Before

we resume, just a quick announcement. Uh

the

provision

on the first floor to the east is for

MPs only.

And we've noticed that a lot of nonmpps

are in that area.

Whether they're invited or assume that

they could go,

um, please, we're going to put up the

signage shortly.

The reasons are many for us to have a

specific areas area for the MPs.

And

I would like

that we observe the protocols which

exist in the different areas.

Our next speaker is the honorable

member, Miss Amanza

Walton Dio.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Good afternoon.

Here we are, another year, another

budget.

And

>> I would be remiss not to respond to

young Minister Griffith is his name.

>> That went before us. You know, I I when

when I when I saw

when I saw his appointment, I was

heartened.

>> When I saw that he was appointed

minister, I was very very heartened.

>> And I was like, yes, you know, good to

see young people. And I sat there and

I'm saying, well, what is going on?

>> Because I had hoped to hear plans. I had

hoped to hear where this young visionary

mind would take labor

>> and you know he he spoke about maxims. I

was quite disappointed to hear just the

regurgitation of PPP talking points. You

could literally itemize what they would

say and then he comes to tell people

honorable Todd about he who comes to

equity must come with clean hands. And I

observe that this honorable minister

spent 25 minutes talking about

everything else except his portfolio.

And then honorable Todd a maxim

occurred to me. A maxim occurred to me.

Nemo that quad nonhabet a man cannot

give that which he doesn't have and he

has no plans. No plans whatsoever. And

so what do we expect?

So, Mr. Speaker,

>> I would like

>> to say

>> to and you know, I will use the

opportunity from the outset to respond

to your honorable call McCoy who

suggests that I sit here

>> on residual votes and left.

>> Well, call me, I got news for you.

You're tired to see my face

>> because the gy people

>> voted

>> and there are no residual or leftover gy

and your statement is an indictment on

you and your mindset more than it is on

me and the fact but I'm here and you'll

have to put up with me. So listen and

learn because Mr. Speaker, Guyana is no

longer operating on the margins. We are

front and center of global attention.

And as a young petroleum producing

state, our economic profile has changed.

And with that change, our exposure to

geopolitical risk and diplomatic

pressure

also has changed. So foreign affairs can

no longer be treated as routine and

administrative. It must now be treated

as national risk management. And I know

that the honorable member Hutad is

coming after me and I would hope that

his interventions will demonstrate to us

that this PPPC administration is capable

of having that mindset shift. So from

the opposition benches, Mr. Speaker, it

is my duty to say this very plainly that

when it comes to foreign relations, the

government's rhetoric does not match the

architecture that it has set out in the

budget. Mr. Speaker, we hear about a new

Guyana, but we see that the budget

maintains an old pre- oil approach to

diplomacy, one that is incremental,

administrative, and insufficiently

strategic for the risks we now face. So,

Mr. Speaker, our foreign policy must

answer three very specific questions.

How do we protect our sovereignty? How

do we engage the world without

surrendering our autonomy? and how do we

ensure that our foreign policy actually

serves every Gy man, woman and child?

And it is against these three criteria,

Mr. Speaker, that I will judge this

budget. So I will speak to us today

about foreign affairs through three

specific pillars. the protection of our

sovereignty and our national interest. A

principled and strategic engagement for

stability and development and a people

centered foreign policy that actually

works that actually strengthens uh

social cohesion.

>> Let's talk about pillar one. Mr.

Speaker, Mr. Speaker, the first pillar

of any foreign policy in a petroleum

state must be must necessarily be the

protection of our sovereignty and our

territorial integrity. Mr. Mr. Speaker,

this is the foundation upon which

everything else rests. And the

government has rightly pointed to the

ICJ process as central to defending our

territorial integrity and our

sovereignty. And that legal pathway is

necessary. And I want to be very clear

that we will continue to support the

government on that legal pathway. But we

must be clear that sovereignty cannot be

defended by litigation alone. Nor is

sovereignty defended by appearances and

announcements. Mr. Speaker, sovereignty,

that ability to make our own decisions

and have those decisions respected is

not a press statement. It is a

capability, Mr. Speaker. It's a

capability that's grounded in law. It's

grounded in diplomacy. It's grounded in

institutional strength, international

legitimacy. And that capability has to

be deliberately built. It just does not

happen by chance. Mr. Speaker, our

sovereignty rests on the strength of

international law, credible uh

diplomacy, strong institutions and

alliances that reinforce our legitimacy.

This is why, Mr. Speaker, our

sovereignty has to be treated as a

matter of capability

and as a matter of preparedness. And by

preparedness, I mean those legal,

institutional strategic capacity to to

anticipate pressure and to coordinate

responses and defend our national

interests before

and I want to emphasize that before

crisis becomes confrontation.

Mr. speaker and I want us to understand

very clearly that preparedness is not

only

what we say abroad but it's also what we

practice at home. So for small states

like us our credibility and legitimacy

our strategic assets that we must build

over time and that are eroded when there

is a gap between what we say abroad and

what we do at home. You know this

government has a tendency to govern by

photo ops. They love to parade the

diplomats and oh the the oh we're doing

so well but I want to be clear about

something

international protocol requires

>> that representatives must be received

with courtesy and so meetings will be

granted flags will be flown and

statements must be read. That is how

diplomacy works.

The mistake that the PPP government

keeps making, however, is that they

mistake protocol for credibility.

>> That's right. That's right.

>> And Mr. Speaker,

>> when all of the meetings are done and

the flags are flown behind closed doors,

credibility is assessed by whether we

practice what we preach. And so, Mr.

Speaker, when media freedoms are

restricted, they clock it.

When parliament is reduced to a rubber

stamp, they clock it. When our

journalists are sidelined, they clock

it. And when, Mr. Speaker, we go and we

address a parliament in another country

in a joint SESSION WITHOUT THE COURTESY

OF ADDRESSING OUR OWN parliament at

home. The international community, they

clock it. They clock it and they hold it

against us. And so when we leave

>> and we've been afforded the best

protocol,

question remains, have we affected?

>> Have we influenced positively the space

that we just left? And when they look at

what they do at home and what they say

abroad, it is clanging noise and sunging

symbols. Mr. Speaker,

>> we must agree. We we have to accept that

in a petroleum era Guyana budgets have

become instruments of foreign policy.

Development is increasingly financed

through multilateral loans through

grants and subscriptions that that and

these do not only shape what we build

but it shapes how we are governed. And

this has to be clearly understood

because every financing agreement

carries with it legal, diplomatic and

administrative arrangements that go

beyond electoral cycles. So when we in

this house in the opposition benches say

we want to know it is because we

understand that they might be very well

going into death that we and our

children and our children's CHILDREN

WILL HAVE TO CARRY. MR. speaker

>> that the problem that we have is when

>> institutional

>> and parliamentary capacity

>> does not keep pace with these

obligations that we undertake. And when

that happens, you know, sovereignty does

not just collapse dramatically. It

shifts quietly from elected institutions

to external pressures. This is why we

have to watch what we borrow. This is

why we have to watch how we borrow

because our SOVEREIGNTY AND WE GOT TO

WATCH WHO borrowing it

because we got to make sure that it's

being put to the use for which it was

borrowed and not to buy houses in Miami

or containers and shipments of

chocolate.

>> No wonder.

>> And so, MR. SPEAKER,

WHEN I examine this budget, I see heavy

emphasis on outputs,

>> on statements issued, on resolutions

supported, and on meetings attended. And

no doubt when my friend, the honorable

UT comes after me, he will rattle off

all of the engagements that we had. We

participated in this meeting. We went to

that meeting. He will talk about our

security council appointment. He will

talk about a number of UH APPEARANCES

AND HE WILL TELL US about the meetings

that WE WILL HOST THIS YEAR. But Mr.

Speaker,

>> we we must understand that showing up is

not the same thing as being prepared.

>> And so very often THE HONORABLE UTAH

SHOWS UP BUT HE'S UNPREPARED.

>> And so Mr. speaker,

>> you know, and and as someone who has

worked in international organizations, I

understand putting together statements.

I hear Kaoswood

Gail, I will lay over a copy of my CV uh

for you. I will be happy to do it and

you'll be able to peruse it at your

leisure. But I understand

I understand

having negotiated

a transportation agreement having

attended UN forest at the highest level

that these statements are not

necessarily easy

>> and so I'm not saying that it does not

reflect uh capacity but what I'm saying

is that when your indicators are

statements issued and meetings attended

you are assuming foreign relations in

the normal course of things

you are create you are you are assuming

that everything is fine but What

happens? What happens? You see,

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> those types of KPIs and outputs tell us

what happens under normal circumstances.

But what happens when pressure is

applied?

>> What happens when you're in a room and

interests collide? Who are the people

that you have in those rooms negotiating

on our behalf? I stand there and I

shiver to think that it is the honorable

you. God help us.

Mr. Speaker,

>> you see

>> what is missing from this budget is not

activity. We got a lot of activity. What

is missing is the architecture to

support that activity. That is what is

missing. And so, yes, there are meetings

and there task forces,

but Mr. Speaker, what we require, what

we really, really require if we're going

to understand our foreign policy thrust,

if we're going to adequately define our

national interest, and if we're going to

have that national interest carry over

across administrations and across

governments, we need an absolute

infrastructure dedicated

to having that expertise and to hone in

institutional memory. We require that

standing in integrated framework that

has the ability to anticipate pressure

before it becomes a crisis. I remember

standing here four years ago and saying

to them that the Venezuelan migration

issue is going to become an issue and

the honorable minister Waldron accused

me of being xenophobic.

But the ability to foresee and to plan

accordingly is what this government

lacks. THEY COULD FORESEE EVERYTHING

ELSE, BUT what matters really the most

to the people of Guyana. And Mr.

Speaker, because we need this standing

infrastructure. This is why I've always

called for the establishment of a

standing foreign policy relations

council, not just as another committee

because Minister Todd will come and tell

me, "Oh, but we have an interministerial

task force." But what he will not tell

you is that if he doesn't convene a

meeting of the task force, it will not

meet. And if a meeting of the task force

is convened and he don't feel like going

to the meeting this morning, the meeting

will not happen. And that cannot be the

way that we intend to govern our um

foreign policy and our foreign

relations. You see, Mr. Speaker,

this council would integrate all of the

legal, diplomatic, security, energy, and

migration expertise into a single

permanent structure capable of

coordinating across agencies, stress

testing assumptions, and protecting our

credibility before our interests are

tested.

Mr. Speaker, this is what preparing for

contestation looks like. And when I

speak about contestation, I do not mean

contestation by bullets. I am talking

about contestation for the defense of

our national interest, using diplomacy

as a tool. Mr. Speaker, that

architecture is not reflected in this

budget. And if we are serious about

protecting our sovereignty,

>> if we are seriously

backyard,

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> if we are serious about protecting our

sovereignty,

our future budget must must show

meaningful shift from symbolism to

substance and from this this routine

diplomacy that we have we see happening

to strategic capability because Mr. Mr.

Speaker, we have to understand that as

an oil producing republic, our

sovereignty is not just going to be

tested once. It's going to be tested

again and again and across

administrations and governments. Mr.

Speaker, I want to turn our attention to

pillar two. Mr. Mr. Speaker, strategic

engagement in the capacity to shape

outcomes.

The honorable member Todd will come and

he will tell us, you know, he love to

use this word, our international

partners. Bet you in his speech at least

five times. Mr. Speaker, the budget

speaks frequently about partnerships and

international engagement and our growing

profile on the stage. Look, look, look.

He's stand up and he's scratching it out

because he knows it's in there. Our

international partners, Mr. Speaker,

>> Mr. Speaker, engagement is necessary.

>> But if we engage without a strategy, we

are simply exposing our country.

>> And like I said before, if we are

present but unprepared, we weaken our

influence. Mr. Speaker, the ability to

shape outcomes internationally just does

not happen because we have oil. It will

not come automatically with revenue. It

will come, Mr. Speaker, through

dedicated preparedness. Mr. Speaker,

influence is earned. It is earned by

knowing what Guyana's interests are by

stating them clearly and by having

representatives who are capable of

advancing those interests in very very

difficult and competitive spaces. So the

question that we that I have because Mr.

the title come and tell us we're a

member of this and we've paid our

subscription to that. Are we simply

maintaining membership or are we

investing in the capacity to shape

outcomes

because that is what we must be doing

and you know I acknowledge that the

budget makes provision for a foreign

service institute and it is a right it

is a step in the right direction Mr.

Speaker, but bricks and mortar alone

will not create influence. Mr. Speaker,

the allocation signals an intention.

Yes, but intention without capacity

leaves too much to chance. And as I

continue in this budget, you will hear

me speaking a lot more about capacity

because the issue is not, oh, it's the

biggest budget ever. It is the capacity

to administer and to oversee in an

effective manner that ensures that the

people of Guyana return have maximum

returns for the spending of their money.

So, Mr. Speaker, I will talk a lot about

capacity. Strategic capacity cannot be

assumed and it should not be scattered

across line items. It has to be

deliberately built, Mr. Speaker. And so,

It brings me to a point that I've made

year in year out and in keeping with uh

consistency I will make it again that

diplomacy and foreign postings is not

jobs for the boys.

>> That's right.

>> It is about capacity and people who are

capable and Mr. Speaker, it pains me

because I know we have men and women who

have served this country with

distinction that this government has

sitting on the sidelines. But because

they refuse to be political puppets

because their allegiance is TO THE

COOPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA AND NOT

TO A PARTY, they have them sitting on

the sidelines marginalizing their

expertise and causing Guyana to suffer.

Mr. Speaker,

>> I want to talk to us

about

>> what happens when we sideline these

people because you know what we turn to

the use of lobbyists.

>> Yes.

>> That is what happens when internal

capacity is weaker under the develop.

The state usually turns

>> to people to fill the gap

>> and you know it doesn't do so.

>> THEY DON'T ATTEMPT TO FILL THE GAP by

maintaining or building internal

capacity. They look outside for

substitutes. And I want to be clear that

there's nothing unusual about engaging

lobbyists. This happens everywhere. The

problem arises when this external

capacity is used as a substitute for

internal capacity. That is what happens,

Mr. Speaker. And while, Mr. Speaker,

lobbyists, while lobbyists CAN PROBABLY

AMPLIFY A COUNTRY'S POSITION, THEY CAN

NEVER anchor our position, Mr. Speaker.

And so I keep saying this, you cannot

subcontract or OUTSOURCE PREPAREDNESS.

YOU CANNOT SUBCONTRACT OUR SOVEREIGNTY.

MR. SPEAKER, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT

WHEN WE rely on lobbyists, what we are

saying,

you know, you know, listen to me. THE

WAY THIS GOVERNMENT OPERATES, they would

hire lobbyists and pay them a bunch of

money. And to them,

>> to them it is a signal of strength. But

what they do not understand, it is a

confession that it is a signaling of a

gap in our own capacity. And so we are

saying, Mr. Speaker, augment your local

capacity. That's what we're saying. You

know when we cannot shape outcomes

abroad,

>> the consequences don't remain overseas,

they come home to roost.

>> So let's turn now to pillar number three

because they come home and they affect

our people. And so let's talk about uh a

people centered foreign policy.

>> I don't mind if they steal it. If it

reds to the benefit of the people of

Guyana, that's fine. That's why we're

here.

>> Mr. Speaker, when a country cannot shape

outcomes abroad, the consequences, like

I said, do not remain at conference

tables. They come home. They come home.

And this is where foreign policy stops

being abstract. And this is where this

is where foreign policy affects the life

of the woman in border market or the

fisherman at 63 Beach. Mr. speaker is

not foreign policy is not is not an

elite exercise

reserves for communicators or

photographs. It is a point at which

international decisions intersect with

daily lives. And so it shows up it shows

up in the rent that we pay. It shows up

in the jobs that we have to compete for

in our own country. It shows up when the

clinics that we rely on are overcrowded.

When our schools are overcrowded. when

the stability of our communities are

underlined undermined rather because OF

JUST THE UNCHECKED influx

>> of people into our communities. We feel

it at home. You know, I have raised the

issue of a migration management uh

system consistently over the years and

it was never from a place of fear or

intolerance or ignorance. It was from a

place of responsibility because

migration is a reality.

But it is a reality that we have to

govern. Mr. Speaker,

>> you know this government behaves like if

unmanaged migration is compassion. Oh,

let it come.

>> It's not compassion. It's poor

governance. Correct.

>> And the thing about poor governance is

that it never bothers the government

first because they sit in their ivory

towers with their SIRENS GOING THROUGH

AND THEY'RE PARTING TRAFFIC. POOR

GOVERNANCE AFFECTS THE PEOPLE FIRST. We

feel it first. And so, Mr. Speaker, when

migration is not properly managed, we

feel it immediately. Like I said, you

know, for years, last three years, I

count it,

>> they promised us a MIGRATION POLICY. UP

TO NOW,

>> you don't even have what I said the

concepts of a plan of a migration

policy.

>> Migration policy migrated policy.

>> THE MIGRATION policy has itself

migrated.

>> Mr. Speaker

and when you look at the budget and I

hope the honorable member Todd would be

so kind as to tell me where in this

budget

>> this might but Mr. Todd has left the

building

>> his look

>> his technical staff is present in the

dome. What I will ask is that given that

this

migration policy is such a pressing

concern that he indicates to this house

where in this budget

>> did you step out

>> where in this budget

>> a migration policy is catered for

because you cannot acknowledge that we

have a problem and then refuse to fix

the problem. You acknowledge that we got

a problem with migration before this

budget, but you do not budget for a

migration policy to be implemented.

>> Make that make sense.

>> Make that make sense. And so, Mr. Mr.

Speaker,

>> we want to

>> we want to

>> look at this pillar

>> of our people

and how foreign policy affects our

people because Mr. Speaker,

a troubling feature of this government

in the handling and management of our

foreign relations is secrecy.

Everything is shrouded in secrecy.

>> We have to read in Caribbean media that

we have agreements in place to accept

toward state nationals.

>> We have to learn about that and then

somebody will trot out with a statement.

Oh well, we are negotiating

>> mired in a lack of transparency. Mr.

Speaker, Mr. Speaker, the people of

Guyana deserve to know what is being

agreed to in our names because it must

be made clear to this PPPC

administration that when you roll out

there, you don't enter into agreements

of your own free will and valition. YOU

DO IT ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF GUYANA

and you CANNOT BIND US WITHOUT LETTING

US KNOW WHAT it is that we are being

bound by and bound to. Mr. Speaker, Mr.

Mr. Speaker, a people- centered foreign

policy requires management. It requires

border management. It requires

coordination across agencies. It

requires bilateral and regional uh

cooperation. And it requires enforcement

mechanisms that protect both gy at home,

gy abroad, gy workers and migrant

communities. And as you know, as I

talked about the gy workers, honorable

member uh what's his name? Mr. Mr. LABOR

MINISTER

I HAD HOPED THAT HE WOULD TELL ME WHERE

WE are with the investigation

into the labor dispute in the mining

community where gy were seen being

beaten and mistreated by foreign mining

companies.

WE HEAR NOTHING about it.

Mr. Speaker,

m I I want the honorable prayer manic

chan I want honorable manic chan to

understand that I have no interest in

being anybody but myself. There is one

ammanza never two

>> Mr. Speaker

you know

when we talk about people centered

approach of foreign policy and we talk

about cohesion Mr. Speaker, we have to

understand that our social cohesion is

an actual asset. It is not automatic and

it is not indestructible. Mr. Speaker,

foreign policy that ignores domestic

impact weakens our trust and undermines

our unity. Mr. Speaker, if we are to

navigate this era responsibly, our

foreign policy must be firm, it must be

humane, and it must be transparent. It

must be firm in defending our national

interests, humane in protecting

vulnerable people, and transparent in

how decisions are made and how they ARE

IMPLEMENTED. THAT IS WHAT PUTTING PEOPLE

FIRST ACTUALLY MEANS. And it is a

standard that this budget is yet to

meet.

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> I have elaborated for us

three pillars.

We will make

You'll now begin the five minutes to

conclude.

>> Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

>> Mr. Speaker, I will turn my attention to

briefly to the Ministry of Aviation and

Utilities, and I want to say this, Mr.

Speaker, when it comes to aviation, and

I've said this to the honorable

minister, I don't play politics with

aviation because we have one common uh

goal. When we all go up in the air, we

want to safely come back down. And so,

Mr. Speaker, it is a ripe ground FOR

BIPARTISAN COLLABORATION. With that in

mind, Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage

because I notice that we are we are we

are laying out um runways, etc. in the

hintterland that there's a 25-y year

civil aviation master plan that is in

effect

that we put together with funding from

the IDB and that vision that envisions a

municipal airport in every region and so

the blueprint is there. It is for the

government to faithfully carry it out.

Mr. Speaker, in the interest of time as

well, I want to point out, Mr. speaker

that we have a duty under the

international civil aviation convention

to be able to not to be able to we have

a duty on annex 13 rather to report

accidents and so from this place on this

floor I want to call for the release of

the ACCIDENT REPORT in which we lost

five of our servicemen. Mr. Speaker, I

understand that there might be national

security implications and the legal

framework contemplates those being

redacted, but families deserve closure,

Mr. Speaker, and the aviation industry

deserves the lessons. Mr. Speaker, when

we talk about maritime um and the

administration of Marad, I want to point

out that again, we see rhetoric without

architecture. We have heard that there

will be a modern ports authority but

when I look at the budget I see no

indication that even building in that

capacity is contemplated in 2026. Mr.

Speaker, Mr. Speaker, it is important

that we have now a modern ports

authority act because as it is we are

administering a very fragmented legal

architecture. Mr. Speaker, I want to say

very very quickly on Mr. Speaker, water

this, Mr. Speaker, again, and I'm not

going to go into numbers because the

numbers tell a story. They tell a story

that over and over again, year in year

out, the PBPC administration believes

THAT BY PUTTING BIG SUMS and by throwing

big money, that progress is inevitable.

And that has never been the case. When

you look at water, MR. SPEAKER, THE

GOVERNANCE PARADIGM for water is wrong.

It is not a utility anymore. It is a

strategic asset. And so the mindset HAS

TO SHIFT. BUT THE PROBLEM is that the

PPP got the wrong mindset. And when you

throw money after the wrong mindset, it

results in mischief.

Mr. Speaker, when we talk about water, I

remember visiting Kane Grove. Lady said

to me, man, I was washing my hair and

then I feel something like crawling down

my neck. Tadpole

tadpole.

>> A tadpole.

ANOTHER ONE SAID MP TURN ON A PIPE AND

THE C CALL THE COCKA BELLY FISH COMING

TRUE. SHE SAID I HAD FOOD. BUT I DON'T

THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT WE MEANT WHEN WE

SAID we need food SECURITY IN GUYANA. I

DON'T THINK THAT THAT IS WHAT we meant.

And so, Mr. Speaker, we continue to

throw money without investing in

capacity. There is so much more that I

would like to say, but Mr. Speaker,

I will end on saying this. You know when

I came in and if the speaker will

indulge me in these final five minutes

when the budget was presented and the

honorable member Mr. Ashne Singh

who made made a made a made a point

ABOUT OH THIS IS WHY YOU ALL WILL ALWAYS

BE ON THE OPPOSITE side

>> as if no but you know you know you know

what bothers me it is as if they they

believe that by saying that it is an

insult. WHAT THEY DO NOT understand is

that it reveals a very troubling mindset

as though benches are trophies. as

though where you sit matters more than

what you deliver. As though government

is a contest to be won and not a

responsibility to be carried. MR.

SPEAKER, I WANT TO MAKE THIS POINT IN

CLOSING. Benches change, but

consequences will remain. AND MY

RESPONSIBILITY, OUR RESPONSIBILITY on

this side of the house is not to

applause, not to taunts, not to

theatrics. Our responsibility is to

those consequences. And the other thing

I want to say in closing, Mr. Speaker,

and they will come and they will say it

and the honorable minister of finance

will come and say it. Oh, they do not

understand, Mr. Speaker. And I want

these people to understand it. When they

say we do not understand, it is their

gaslighting us. They're gaslighting you

to avoid scrutiny. But we understand. We

understand the numbers. We understand

that every year this budget is the

largest ever, but gy continue to suffer.

We understand the contracts that when

they're given a select FEW BENEFIT. WE

UNDERSTAND the borrowing. We understand

the loans. Mr. Speaker, we understand

that these obligations go beyond, Mr.

Speaker, electoral cycles. And so I

close by saying this.

>> I close by saying this, Mr. Speaker,

this house, we were not elected for

noise or intellectual posturing. We were

elected to govern seriously because

governance is serious business. When the

lights go off and the applause fades,

what matters is delivery. What matters,

Mr. Speaker, IS NOT HOW IMPRESSIVE A

BUDGET SOUNDS, but whether we have the

capacity to carry through on what was

presented. And so, another year, Mr.

Speaker, another budget. And Gene are

asking not who won the debate, but how

is my life changed for the better? Mr.

Speaker, I will end by saying this.

This debate on our posture is never

about stopping development. It is about

doing it better.

>> It is about the quality of work, not the

quantity of announcements. It is about

building institutions, not projects and

honesty with people, not gaslighting

them into silence. Mr. Speaker, there is

an old African adage. There's an old

African proverb that says when a house

is built on praise and I spoke

extensively about pillars today. When a

house is built on praise instead of

pillars, it collapses quietly and the

people are buried in the rubble. That is

why we insist on stronger governments.

That is why we will not be sacons and

tell you what you want to hear. That is

why we will insist on better governance

and accountability. We don't do it for

today's applause. We do it for the

future of this country tomorrow. Thank

you, Mr. Speaker.

>> Thank you very much, honorable member.

The honorable minister

of foreign affairs and international

cooperation, the honorable you.

Thank you very much.

It's not coming on

>> easy,

>> Mr. Speaker.

support,

>> Mr. Speaker.

>> Thank you.

>> Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

>> First of all, let me begin by thanking

my my dear colleague

Minister Ashne Singh and his fantastic

team at the Ministry of Finance

>> for crafting and putting together

another

fantastic budget

which reflects

the will of the people.

A budget that is centered around the

individual,

for the individual and by the

individual.

But Mr. Speaker,

>> you know,

>> you know, they always say

>> one eye man is king in blind man

country.

>> That is exactly what we're getting from

that side of the house.

The honorable member may have gone

through a junior text in international

relations

>> and wrote down all of the script and

decide to come and deploy it on this

side of the house when she's had zero

experience in conducting foreign policy

and interstate relations. So her so her

colleagues on the other side,

>> they don't know better

>> because she's put together a few words

>> with some rhymes and rhythm.

>> It sounds sexy

>> and they're all excited over there.

>> But the people of this great nation of

ours

>> know that that is all fluff

>> because that is not how you conduct your

foreign policy.

That is not how you do it.

>> Welcome.

>> Welcome to class.

>> You got to listen, my friends.

You got to listen.

>> So, Mr. Speaker,

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> we

as a party in government

has represented this country

>> for decades.

>> We have kept the flag flying high.

>> We have done all of the heavy lifting

>> and we have convinced the people of

Guyana

>> election cycle after election cycle

>> that we are capable of representing each

and every individual citizen at home and

abroad

>> and I dare say Mr. Speaker the record

shows

>> Mr. Speaker

was a better minister.

>> This

minister, this budget

>> reflects an 88% increase over the last 5

years for the Ministry of Foreign

Affairs and International Cooperation.

>> And I must say, Mr. Speaker, that when

you look at the numbers reflected

In our budget, a 10.035

billion dollar budget

shows clearly that our work at home

has been very well done by the People's

Progressive Party Civic Administration

over the last 5 years.

And it's very clear, Mr. Speaker,

>> if you if you look at every sector

>> in this country, there's growth. If you

look at our policies, they are centered

around the individual.

And we have been successful

year in year out working with the people

of this country to ensure that they are

successful.

And when they are successful, we are

able

to go abroad, Mr. Speaker, and share our

experiences with our neighbors, our

international partners, and even our

non-traditional partners. And we've been

telling that story, Mr. Speaker.

>> More recently, his excellency the

president

visited the United Kingdom where he met

with His Majesty King George III,

>> he also met with the right honorable

>> deputy prime minister.

>> He also met with

>> he said Charles

>> King Charles.

We also met with

>> never said that

>> the curriculum the Commonwealth

secretary general along with other

senior government officials and business

leaders telling our story.

>> Mr. speaker

to the extent that the British

government has signed on to a global

biodiversity alliance initiative which

is a stellar

stellar

representation of how we are

representing Guyana

>> and the people of this country

>> Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker,

>> we are putting people first.

>> We are setting the foreign policy agenda

for this country.

>> We are executing it

>> for his excellency the president.

>> And we are continually building out a

foreign

service that will be able to res

represent his excellency at any given

time. Mr. Speaker,

the president,

Mr. Speaker,

>> his excellency, the president sets the

foreign policy agenda on behalf of the

people

>> who have elected him and is very clear.

It is very clear

that he has a mandate to execute on

behalf of the people.

>> Mr. Mr. Speaker, let me also mention his

excellency's visit to state visit to Biz

where we

was able to deliver a remarks in the

parliament.

>> It was a very successful visit. The

first state visit by the head of state

of Guyana to bise

first state visit

>> only yesterday. Mr. Speaker, his

excellency the president met also with

>> the president of Panama

>> along with six of his senior ministers

to discuss cooperation

and deepening our economic relations

with Panama.

I say that to say, Mr. Speaker, that we

have hit the ground running for this

year. Foreign policy never stops. You

have to continuously

work at it, keep developing it and

executing it. The international

environment is never static. Mr.

Speaker, that's what it is. Following

the trends, understanding the

complexities of interstate relations,

understanding the complexities of

geopolitics, the shifts in political

systems and landscapes

means mean therefore that you always

have to be on the ball. And Mr. Speaker,

listening to the honorable member

who just went before me, I think she

wants to agree with us because she's

saying to me and to my colleagues over

here that he's going to come and say

this and he's going to come and say

that.

>> But it shows that she really is trying

to understand what we're doing over

here.

However,

>> however,

>> unfortunately for her,

>> she does not qualify.

>> Let me tell you why, Mr. Speaker.

various commanders for

>> if an individual on that side of the

house

can vote to elect an opposition leader

>> Jesus have mercy

>> who has no plenability here in Ghana

>> who is indicted

>> who is wanted in the court of law in

another jurisdiction

>> under a treaty obligation that we have

with that

>> requesting party and can show her face

here in this parliament

>> and say to us

>> that we on this side of the house

>> Mr. Speaker

>> is not able

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> honorable minister, we have Miss Hal.

>> I'm standing up on point order 4016. No

member shall impute improper motive to

any member of this assembly.

>> Honorable Honorable member Miss Hi,

>> this is a public.

>> This is not a public imputation. I think

he's stating what exists.

>> Honorable Minister, please continue.

>> Thank you very Mr. Speaker.

>> So, Mr. Speaker,

>> if we're to take if we're to take

general members seriously

>> as a people and as a nation

>> and this is a quality

of our representation,

>> then where she is is where she deserves

to be. And she's going to be there for a

very, very, very long time.

Mr. Speaker,

>> the honorable member spoke about

credibility and predictability

preparedness.

>> And the honorable member

represented a political party

>> that did not,

Mr. speaker did not want to go to an

early election after a vote of no

confidence was passed successfully in

the parliament back in December 2018.

Yes sir.

>> And she has remember

she has the face to come in front of the

people of this country and to talk about

credibility and to talk about

representing Guyana when they do not

repres when they do not respect

democracy, democratic principles, the

will of the people

>> and AND AND

UNDERSTANDING

>> THAT governments

come and go.

>> But we on this side of the house, Mr.

Speaker,

>> we have

>> we have as a political party in

government.

>> We have given true representation to the

people of this country.

>> That's right. We have done it to the

extent that we are visible, we are

credible, we are well respected and we

are sought after globally in every

square.

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> our foreign policy is a key pillar for

national development,

>> social

advancement,

>> economic development.

>> And Mr. Speaker,

>> what is the current policy?

>> As

a government,

>> we believed

>> in policies that can be backed by data,

>> in some cases by science,

>> empirical evidence,

>> backed by ownership of the people. And

that is why we have been successful in

our national policies. Mr. Speaker, when

we talk about advanced healthcare,

education,

our infrastructure, safe and clean

environments,

we have done so well, Mr. speaker that

his excellency the president whenever he

visits a foreign head of state he is

able to articulate our successes in

every aspect and it is well received

well received

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> our prosperity

>> that we see right here in Guyana,

>> small businesses,

medium to large scale businesses, women

in business,

Mr. Speaker, it shows that at home

>> that at home we understand government

and we understand governance.

>> If you are able,

>> if you're able

to achieve the successes

that successive presidents of this

political party would have achieved over

the several decades,

>> you will understand

how you conduct international relations

in a global environment, how you conduct

your foreign policy, how you harness

your people and Mr. Speaker,

>> the honorable member mentioned earlier

>> about the minister not being in the

meetings and the meetings cannot happen.

>> But Mr. Speaker,

>> you

must be told today from me, the sitting

minister

>> that we have been following his

excellency the president and his

inclusive policy

>> policy in conducting

our international relations. Mr.

Speaker, we have maintained the agent

>> and will have the honorable member know

>> that our agent often times

conducts meetings of the technical

committee. But she will not know that,

Mr. speaker because she had she has been

excluded from the committee by the

former opposition leader because he did

not think that she had the substance and

the where it all to be in that category.

BUT WE'VE BEEN CONDUCTING OURSELVES

WITHOUT HER. SHE'S JUST NOT she's just

not IN THE LOOP. SHE IS JUST NOT

INVITED. AND NOT BECAUSE YOU'RE not

invited, there's no progress. So you

have to write to us. WE WILL LET YOU

KNOW, MR. SPEAKER, we

>> we have accepted

Ambassador Austin,

>> who is a respected diplomat in Guyana

and by the opposition who sits on that

committee. We also have

former member of the Anam political

party,

Rafam Karan SC, who sits on that

committee.

So the committee has members

>> who can represent Ghana at the national

level because the honorable member

mentioned that we don't include anyone

and not because you are not including

honorable member member that we are not

making progress we are making progress

and even if we go overseas Mr. President

in terms of our diplomatic

representation,

>> we have his excellency Hali Majid who is

in Havana still representing this

country

>> whom HE INHERITED FROM THE ATMA AFC

GOVERNMENT. We have his excellency van

Charles who is in

>> he IS IN KARACUS

>> REPRESENTING US

>> AND HE WAS WITH THE AFC ARROW you would

know that

>> PNC

APNU AFC so Mr. Speaker,

>> when you talk about being inclusive

>> and bipartisan when it comes to

protecting our sovereignty

>> and our territorial integrity, we have

demonstrated that

>> unlike unlike when the APOFC

assumed office in 2015, they fired

everyone

>> to send them home.

But we on this side of the house when it

comes to our sovereignty and territorial

integrity, we are bipartisan in that

regards.

>> Ambassador,

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> we also have

>> Dr. Barton Scotland who was the former

speaker. He's also on the committee,

>> a well-renowned,

>> seasoned foreign officer in the

ministry. He's on that committee, Mr.

Speaker.

And we must also

pay our respects to some of our fallen

fallen soldiers of the committee. The

late Rashley Jackson, Sirat Bramal,

Elizabeth,

>> Justice Pollard, and of course our dear

Elizabeth Harper who have been very very

very

strong, resilient

>> and they they fought for us. They have

to pronounce.

>> So our shrul was there in the inception

when we signed the 1966 Geneva agreement

>> and we are very proud of their service.

Mr. Speaker, we we were happy to work

with them and don't remember and members

would know that several of these members

served in the Burnham administration

and we on this side of the house

we do not

discriminate when it comes to our

sovereignty and our territorial

integrity. We are all embracing and

all-encompassing when it comes to our

sovereignty and our territorial

integrity.

Mr. Speaker,

>> in safeguarding our territorial

integrity, we have allocated $100

million

to

ensure that we can protect first and

foremost our frontiers.

And as you're aware, Mr. Speaker, his

excellent excellency the president has

been working

assidiously to ensure that we remain

engaged

first and foremost with our neighbor to

the south, Brazil,

being a very strong leader on the

continent and the region.

Brazil remains a very strategic partner

to Guyana,

respected in the region and globally.

And we must also recognize the fact that

Brazil has always maintained their

position on the demarcation of borders

and we as a people and a nation we are

very proud of that because we can move

forward

>> as a country Mr. Speaker knowing that we

have strong partners on our on the right

side of international law.

>> Mr. Speaker,

Mr. Speaker,

>> Mr. Speaker,

this is also important for us because

we're building out the Ghana shield

corridor and we've seen the trilateral

meetings that we've had between Guyana,

Brazil and Surinam on energy,

on food, on climate, ensuring that we in

this part of the region that we can have

energy security, food security and our

climate security knowing very well of

the complexities that we face in the

global environment. Mr. Speaker, that in

itself is a launching pad for us to have

effective representation in the OAS

in sale

in the Amazonian cooperation treaty

organization which is extremely vital

for us Mr. speaker because it represents

forests and it also represents

indigenous peoples and we as a country

we've been participating in almost every

meeting. My dear colleague from minister

of amaranian affairs we have amaran

affairs also part of those meetings

along with the ministry of foreign

affairs and we have been extremely

effective in that organization and I say

that to say Mr. speaker that conducting

foreign policy is not only at the policy

level. A lot of the execution happens at

the technical level and that is how

we're operating as a ministry. It's a

top down bottom up approach because it's

a learning institution and we want to

ensure we build out an institution that

can keep up or keep a pace with the

president's bold and ambitious foreign

policy agenda. Mr. Speaker,

I also would like to mention our role in

the United Nations and our recent role

in United Nations Security Council.

We are aware of our representation in

that council. Of course, his excellency

the president would have congratulated

the team here and in New York. And we as

a people must be proud of our

representation because we remained

committed to the principles of the

United Nations charter. We've remained

committed to our role as a member of the

elected 10

as also a member

>> of the Africa

African plus

>> three plus

>> and

we have seen also Mr. speaker, our

representation

in terms of our position on respecting

the rights of the Palestinian people.

We've also seen our firm stance and

unwavering position on the defense of

the territory and sovereignty of

Ukraine. We've done many other meetings.

We've had many, many statements. We've

had also a statement on Venezuela which

is the Africa 3 plus uh did for us. So

we have done a lot of work at the

bilateral level Mr. speaker at the

regional level and at the multilateral

level which is clear for everyone of us

to see and I must remind the honor

remember that those are not form

pure substance in terms of a

representation

not only at the level of the head of

state but at the level of the

ambassadors and technical staff within

the ministry of foreign affairs and

international cooperation and at every

post throughout this hemisphere

Mr. Mr. Speaker,

we've allocated $140 million

in advancing

our multilateral agenda,

our representation

at the United Nations in the upcoming

high level meeting. We've also started

the campaign for chairman for chair for

a position as a director on uh UNESCO

which we should all be commended for. I

know that we'll be successful my

colleague minister we'll be working hard

campaigning for you. So Mr. Speaker, we

have ensured that we have monies

allocated to ensure that we can give

very strong representation

without having a cost constraint to

ensure that we can meet and even in some

cases exceed our objectives.

Mr. Speaker, moving on. Our trade policy

promotion is very important for us as a

ministry because we are responsible to

for ensuring that we're able to

coordinate effective

representation on all matters related to

trade policy and as you know Mr. Speaker

and honorable members, trade is very

very vital

in building out any economy and for us

free, fair and predictable trade is very

important for us and that is why at our

office in Geneva, Mr. Mr. Speaker, we

are giving very strong representation on

all of the matters within the World

Trade Organization and the various

province and we at home are also giving

strong representation at the level of

curriculum especially in the council for

trade and development. We've been

representing small businesses,

medium-siz, and large businesses here

when it comes to their protection

with regards to the common external

tariff.

Mr. Speaker,

for trade policy promotion, we have

allocated 64.7

million Ghana dollars and that should be

sufficient for us in our attendance of

meetings and ensuring that we have

all of our logistics and whatever

partnerships that we may need to provide

costs for that we'll be able to do that

effectively within the ministry. Nobody.

>> Mr. Speaker, just just have to listen

and record.

>> Mr. Speaker, I would like to move to

diaspora engagement

>> and and that is very important for us

because his excellency the president has

diaspora built in to our development

agenda

and the foreign ministry is responsible

for connecting the diaspora with our

national development in all of the

areas. So, Mr. Mr. Speaker, we've

allocated 35 million Ghana dollars to

diaspora engagement. Um, and I think I

have a few numbers that I can share with

you, Mr. Speaker. We've had

we've had so far between 2020 and 2025,

we've

assisted approximately

2,162

GY who have successfully m remigrated to

Guyana. um and that

>> and that that is a part of our

development agenda because as you're

aware Mr. Speaker and honorable members

is excellent the president would also

like to tap into the human capital that

can actually return to Guyana and to be

a good fit in areas where we may have um

a need for their level of competency.

Apart from that, we also have a lot of

business owners who are returning to

Ghana, moving capital, in some cases,

moving business, in some cases extending

their businesses, and in other

instances, they're partnering with

companies here in Ghana. So, it's doing

a lot for us in terms of creating

employment and helping to build out our

economy. So, we're very focused, Mr.

speaker on ensuring that remain

connected to the diaspora, remain

engaging with the diaspora and to ensure

that that connection can lead to a

return reintegration and allowing those

diasporans to enjoy bailing out Ghana.

So with that, Mr. Speaker, we've also

in that period, we've also engaged with

approximately 3,000

uh residents

in the diaspora across

Surinam,

United States of America, Trinan and

Tobago and in Canada. So our diaspora

unit

is well connected to our missions and

consulates in the various jurisdictions.

We're working together on a road map to

ensure that we can have not only on-site

visits to meet with the diaspora but

also have webinars and conferences to

ensure that we can have a full

understanding of the areas and to allow

those persons living in diaspora to

seamlessly remigrate to Guyana. And Mr.

Speaker, I think that has been very

successful for us and we will continue

to advance diaspora engagement.

>> Minister, you'll be given five more

minutes to conclude.

>> I also

would like to touch on consular

services. Mr. Speaker, that is very

important for us. And with our

visibility,

with our

image as a country,

we are attracting a lot of of our

returning gene. And if we're going to be

able to support our returning gene

through the diaspora engagement, then

being able to facilitate travel

documents and other instruments are very

important for us. So, we're taking that

role also very seriously, Mr. Speaker.

And we have been very effective even

more so now because we have a new

technology in issuing up the passports.

And over the last 5 years we have

processed

close to approximately 17,000 passports

for persons living in the diaspora. And

we want to be able in some cases to ramp

up our processing because it is very

effective in allowing persons of course

to travel. And for those persons who may

not have had or renew their passports

for many decades or in some cases

decades, we want to ensure that they can

have their passports because for them

that is bringing their identity back and

giving them an opportunity to return

home even for visit because as you aware

Mr. Speaker, his excellency the

president is very focused in having more

traffic not only from outside of the

diaspora but also from within the

diaspora. Mr. Speaker,

I want to touch briefly on our foreign

service institute

and my colleagues on this side of the

house and you Mr. speaker would recall

that the Foreign Service Institute was

first established in 1998 under People's

Progressive Party Civic Administration

at that time foreign minister Clement

Rohi recognizing that we needed to

professionalize

the ministry and to create human capital

that would be able to effectively

execute the government's foreign policy

agenda. That institute was designed to

ensure that there's continuous training

at every level from the level of the

foreign service officer one all the way

up to a principal foreign officer too.

So those continuous trainings Mr. Mr.

Speaker, we're geared towards ensuring

that we can keep the relevancy that is

required at every level and in some

cases having rigorous assessments to

ensure that those officers meet the

requirement to be able to effectively

represent Guyana. The addition to that,

Mr. Speaker, also is ensuring that we

have a forage for foreign language

component. As you're aware,

being the only English-sp speakaking

country in this on this continent is not

an advantage. So for us,

we as a ministry, we need to be also

able to speak the language of our

neighbors and our friends and our

partners because diplomacy is also very

effective,

>> effectively conducted when you can speak

the language of your friend or your

partner. So we're focusing heavily, Mr.

speaker on Portuguese, Spanish, and also

French. And we've had several successful

graduates who are now fluent in

in Spanish. To add to that, Mr. Speaker,

I'm pleased to inform the House and the

people of Ganda that we've made great

strides so far in building human

capital. Um so we have 94.1% of our

young officers with a bachelor's degree

at least

about

64%

with a post-graduate degree and out of

that 64% about 2 or 3% with two or more

post-graduate degrees. So we're we're

encouraging we're encouraging

our officers to to study to continuously

study. So their academics will be

supplemented by the foreign service

institute because we'll be partnering

with our traditional partners like the

United States of America. We've also

spoken to

>> traditional

>> the traditional partners. Did did I say

that?

everything traditional

>> traditional our our the the the

English as well. We've also spoken to

the French. We're going also going to

partner with the foreign service academy

out of Chile and Peru as well as Mexico

and of course in Marti at in in Brazil.

So what we're doing Mr. Speaker and this

is thinking along the president's vision

2013 beyond is to ensure that we have a

very professionalized professionalized

foreign service with a complement of

foreign service officers who are cutting

edge who are able to give sound

effective timely

foreign policy advice to not only policy

makers but also to his excellency the

president. So Mr. Speaker, to complement

what I just mentioned, we're also

building a foreign service institute.

So, we've committed 203 million 29

million Ghana dollars to that project.

It's now 22%

along. Uh we have another 132 million

Ghana dollars to commit to that project.

And I'm told that we should complete and

be able to cut the ribbon sometime in

May of this year. But I will keep I will

keep the house updated as necessary. So

Mr. Speaker,

>> so Mr. Speaker,

>> I want to close briefly by also

mentioning our legals and treaties

department. That is a fundamental pillar

within the ministry because that

department

or division Mr. Speaker helps to

coordinate

and

identify those instruments memoranda and

treaties that are applicable to our

self-interests and mutual interests and

ensuring that we are compliant with the

Geneva Convention on Diplomatic

Services. Geneva Convention also on

consular service and into and to also

ensure Mr. Speaker that we are robust in

in terms of any agreement that we sign

on to to ensure that the people of

Guyana will benefit and it would not be

a burden to them. So for us conducting

our foreign policy Mr. speaker is cuts

across

various uh pillars and we as a ministry

and as a ministry responsible foreign

affairs for foreign affairs and

international cooperation. My task is to

ensure that we can pull up the strands

together to ensure that we remain in

line with the president and the office

of the president and to be able to

support my colleague ministers in every

aspect that that requires an

international interface. With that, Mr.

Speaker, I want to commit this budget

to the House and I would ask that we are

unanimous in supporting this budget.

Thank you, Mr.

Thank you very much honorable member Mr.

Todd. And now for the honorable member

Mr. Ryan Richards.

Chief

>> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. for a reason.

>> Honorable members,

>> distinguished guests,

>> good evening.

>> I rise today to address

this house.

>> As we examine

budget 2026,

>> we must inquire first.

Because as we examine this budget,

>> I stand here proud as a son of region 10

>> and also a member of the Lynen

community.

I am here

>> to highlight as a representative of

region 10

>> why this budget is not people centered.

>> All right.

Not only they've never

>> this matter, this situation that region

10 currently finds itself in. Mr.

Speaker,

it strikes to the heart of democratic

governance,

accountability,

and the rule of law within the local

governance system.

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> region 10 currently finds itself

>> in an unacceptable situation,

>> a region operating

>> without a duly functional

regional chairman and vice regional

chairman.

>> A regional democratic council that has

been effectively sidelined from its

lawful role in the preparation of budget

2026.

This is not merely an administrative

oversight.

>> This is not a technical inconvenience.

>> This is a democratic deficit.

>> I stand here today. I'm not here to

vilify,

but I am here to identify the problems

that exist in our region.

>> Mr. Speaker, the regional chairman and

vice chairman are not ceremonial

figures.

They are central pillars of regional

administration

and the local and the entrusted under

the constitution and local democratic

Oregon act with leadership,

>> coordination

>> and political oversight of regional

affairs.

Mr. Speaker,

>> their absence has created a vacuum

in the authority in region 10. One that

undermines decision making,

weakens accountability and leaves

citizens

without a clear political leadership in

the regional level.

How, Mr. Speaker, can a region be

expected to function effectively

when there is no elected or properly

installed leadership to guide it?

How can disputes be resolved,

priorities set, and development plans be

meaningfully advanced in such

circumstances?

Mr. Speaker,

>> the people of region 10 did not vote for

administrative limbo.

They voted for representation,

leadership,

and stewardship of their region's

development.

Even more troubling, Mr. Speaker, is the

systemic exclusion of the RDC

from meaningful oversight and input into

the preparation of budget 2026.

Mr. Speaker,

the RDC is not an advisory body

>> consulted at one's convenience.

It is a statutory decision-making organ

mandated to deliberate on,

shape, and approve regional policies,

programs, and budgets.

Mr. Speaker, yet in this case,

regional counselors have been reduced to

mere spectators,

presented with figures rather than

engaged in planning,

informed after decisions were made

rather than before.

This approach, Mr. Speaker, violates

both spirit and the letter of democratic

governance.

Mr. Speaker,

>> a budget is not merely a financial

document.

>> It is a statement of priorities.

>> It reflects the voices of those that

were heard

and whose were ignored.

Mr. Speaker, when counselors are

excluded from budget preparation

processing,

>> we all decide,

>> community needs go unrepresented.

>> Regional disparities deepen,

accountability is weakened, public trust

erodess.

>> Mr. Speaker, what legitimacy does a

budget have

>> when those elected to represent their

communities had no meaningful input into

the formulation?

>> How can residents in Lynen, Kwani, Iuni,

Rockstone, and the rivering communities

>> have confidence their needs were

properly considered when the

representatives were sidelined?

>> Mr. Speaker, this situation sets a

dangerous president.

>> If regional counselors can be bypassed,

>> if leadership vacancies can persist

without urgency,

>> if budgets can be prepared without

elected oversight,

>> then local democracy becomes optional

and not obligatory.

>> Mr. speaker.

>> Local governance is not a favor granted

by central government.

It is a constitutional right of the

people.

>> Region 10 must not be treated as an

administrative outpost.

It is a living community

with legitimate expectations of

participation and respect.

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> region 10 is not a marginal region. It

is the heartland of Guyana

>> built on the sweat and sacrifices of

boxite workers,

>> forestry workers who

>> public servants and small business

owners.

Yet, despite repeated promises,

>> the people of region 10 continue to

experience systemic neglect,

>> poor governance, and insufficient

investment.

>> Mr. Speaker, infrastructure remains a

major concern.

>> Roads within Lynen, Kwani, ituni, and

the rivering communities

>> remain in deplorable conditions.

Mr. Speaker, in Kwani and other inland

and rivering communities,

>> transportation remains unreliable,

costly, and unsafe.

>> Residents continue to struggle

>> with limited access to markets, health

facilities, and educational

institutions.

A budget that claims national

development

must address these disparities with

urgency and fairness.

>> Mr. Speaker,

in Kwani,

there was a project for an air strip

at the cost of $248

million.

But some questions need to be asked.

>> Don't cry about your budget.

>> Will the residents truly benefit from

that investment?

>> How often do aircraft travel

>> to Kwani?

Can the average person afford to fly

from Kwani?

>> Mr. Speaker, for decades, the people of

Kuwani and surrounding riverin and

mining communities

have remained geographically and

economically isolated

despite their enormous contribution to

Guyana's economy.

The Lynen Kuwani corridor is a strategic

development link within region 10.

It connects the regional capital Lynen

to the major mining communities

that have historically powered national

development. Mr. Speaker,

a properly constructed road

in the Lynen Kuwani corridor

>> will transform lives.

It will reduce transportation costs

>> for fuel,

food,

construction materials, and essential

goods.

>> It will allow patients quicker access to

medical facilities in Lynden and

Georgetown.

From an economic standpoint,

>> this road will be a meaningful

investment.

This would be also

>> a prime example of putting people first.

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> Mr. Speaker, education is the backbone

>> of development.

Yet schools in region 10 continue to

face shortages of trained teachers.

>> Yet they had 100% trained teachers.

>> Inadequate learning material. Thank you

for the correction.

>> Thank you,

>> honorable member. Thank you for the

correction. Inadequate learning

materials, deteriorating infrastructure.

>> Mr. Speaker, I hold in my hands here

>> as of 11:43 a.m. this morning

from the Kamaka Primary School.

>> The furniture that was delivered this

morning to the Kamaka Primary School,

>> it was sent to me by a resident of

Kamaka.

>> This morning at 11:43 a.m.

>> Mr. Speaker, our young people are

leaving the region in search of

opportunity elsewhere because the budget

does not adequately invest in skill

training, job creation, and youth entre

entrepreneurship within the region.

>> Mr. Speaker,

unemployment remains a major challenge

in region 10.

The discipline of traditional industries

have not been matched by a clear and

inclusive economic diversification

strategy for region 10.

Small and medium-sized businesses

struggle to access financing

markets and government support.

>> Mr. Speaker, despite national economic

growth,

many residents of region 10 do not feel

its benefit,

economic development cannot be

concentrated on the coast land while

interior and mining regions are left

behind.

Mr. Speaker, access to reliable water

and electricity

remains inconsistent in several

communities across region 10.

In some areas when you turn on the tap

you get coffee,

>> power outages,

>> water shortages and high utility costs

continue to affect households and

businesses alike

coupled with the high food prices and

transportation costs. The cost of living

has become unbearable for many families.

Mr. Speaker, it is understood

that electricity is subsidized for in

Lynden

>> in which we are grateful for.

But how much or at what cost does this

gratitude come

on the Wisma shore which contains

communities like Rizrock,

>> Block 22, One Mile, Half Mile, Silver

etc.

Glor.

>> They are plagued with constant power

outages.

>> The Whismershore even pays more for

electricity than the McKenzie shore.

>> Mr. Speaker,

region 10's health sector continues to

suffer from underst staffing,

>> limited specialist services,

inadequate equipment, and poor

facilities.

>> The Lynden Hospital complex

while central to the region

>> remains overburdened

>> and undersource underresourced

>> residents are often forced to travel to

Georgetown

>> for basic diagnostic and specialist care

>> at great personal expense

budget 2026 speaks of healthcare

transformation Mr. Speaker

yet region 10 and other regions

have not seen the level of investment

required to make healthcare accessible,

reliable and dignified for its people.

>> Mr. Speaker, healthc care is not a

luxury.

>> It is not charity.

Health care is not a privilege resort

for those who live near Georgetown.

>> Or who can afford private care.

Healthcare is a constitutional

responsibility

of the state and it's a moral obligation

of any government that claims to govern

in the interests of the people.

Mr. Speaker,

when a citizen

falls ill,

political affiliation does not matter.

When a mother is in labor, party colors

mean nothing,

when a child needs emergency care, a

remote location should not become a

death sentence.

>> And yet for far too many ges, especially

those in hintterland and rural regions,

>> medicine,

>> that is what happens.

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> let's first acknowledge the numbers

>> over the last three years.

>> The health budget has significantly

significantly increased

>> in 2024

>> approximately

1.2 1.29

129.8 8 billion

2025 approximately

$143.2

billion was allocated. This is an

increase in 13.4 billion

>> in 2026.

It's approximately going to increase by

another 17.9

billion in the amount of $161.1

billion.

On paper, Mr. Speaker, these numbers

appear impressive.

On paper, they suggest commitment.

On paper, they signal priority.

But, Mr. Speaker,

the budget cannot be judged on paper.

The health budget should be judged in

the hospital corridors, the health

posts, in the maternity wards, in

hinderland villages, in homes of

citizens forced to buy medication

privately.

The fundamental question before the

house is are g healthier today because

of these increase increases.

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> despite despite increasing allocations,

citizens continue to report

long waiting times at public hospitals,

persistent shortages of essential drugs,

limited access to diagnostics outside

Georgetown,

overcrowded facilities,

>> exhausted and staff medical teams.

>> Year after year we hear about new

buildings, new wings, new equipment,

>> but we get the same old services.

>> But Mr. Speaker,

>> healthc care is not just concrete and

steel.

>> It is people,

>> systems,

access, and accountability.

WHAT GOOD IS a modern building

if there is no anesthesis on duty,

>> no lab technician,

no specialist available,

>> no medication in stock.

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> infrastructure without service is not

healthcare. It's just architecture.

building.

>> Mr. Speaker, let's let us honestly speak

about geography

in Guyana today. Where you live still

determines how well or whether you

survive illness.

Region one, region 7, region 8, region

9, rural communities

in two, five and six also 10

are some of the most affected regions.

>> In many inland communities,

a simple infection can be

life-threatening.

Emergency evacuations are delayed.

Specialist care is virtually

inaccessible.

Tele medicine remains limited in

practice.

>> A citizen in Georgetown can access

specialists.

>> They can access diagnostics.

They can access emergency care.

>> But most times a citizen in the inland

>> often accesses hope,

prayers

>> and luck.

>> Mr. Speaker,

this is not equality.

>> This is a structural disadvantage.

Oil wealth must not create two Guyanas.

>> One healthy,

>> one neglected.

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> let us talk about those

who keep the system alive.

our healthcare workers,

>> the dedicated few,

>> the doctors.

It has been reported

>> that a GMO

gets $4,000 for a 16-hour shift of on

call.

>> Unacceptable.

>> A medical registar gets $4,500

for the same shift.

You'll be the first.

>> A senior registar

>> gets 5,000.

>> A consultant

>> gets 5,05.

>> Mr. Speaker, it is called on call rather

than overtime.

>> You be quiet.

>> We should pay our doctors what they

deserve.

nurses, midwives, also community health

workers,

registered nurses,

nursing assistants. They make up this

population.

>> They are overworked.

They are unsupported.

>> They are leaving

>> to seek greener pastures.

>> Mr. Speaker

>> budget 2026

>> highlights that

5,440

nurses and allied health professionals

will be trained.

But I must highlight

that in 2025

we had some

patient care assistants,

>> community health workers

who would have went to study to upgrade

themselves.

>> Most of them did the nursing assistant

training program.

But Mr. Speaker, to this day, almost 8

months after graduating,

they are still awaiting

>> adjustments in their salaries.

>> They are still awaiting adjustments in

their designation.

>> They're doing nursing assistance work,

but still being paid as a PCA.

Mr. Speaker, despite new facilities,

staff shortages persist,

burnout is widespread,

incentives for inland services remain

inadequate.

We cannot build our way out of a

workforce crisis.

Retention matters

>> more than recruitment.

A hospital without staff is not a

hospital.

It is a building.

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> no budget can be considered successful.

>> If it fails its most vulnerable

>> in the population.

Yet

expectant expectant mothers

in rural and inland regions

still travel long distances for basic

care.

>> Follow-up care is inconsistent.

Elderly citizens face medication

shortages and long waits. putting people

for

>> maternal and child health should not

depend on road conditions. Mr. Speaker,

both availability

or even the weather.

Every mother deserves dignity.

Every child deserves protection.

Every elderly citizen deserves care.

Mr. Speaker,

Guyana faces a silent epidemic.

Diabetes, hypertension, heart disease,

cancer,

highlights a list of chronic

diseases.

Yet, prevention care or preventive care

matter is

underfunded.

Mr. Speaker, another issue that was

brought to our attention,

the issue of dialysis and the production

the produ the performance thereof.

The diialysis center in the Lynden

hospital complex.

It is a public private partnership with

5G diialysis.

So patients have to pay. is $12,000 per

se uh possession.

That translates to $36,000

per week,

$144,000

per month,

and per year

it translates to $1,728,000.

>> Putting people first

>> for diialysis.

>> That's how they do it. touching people.

>> Other complaints from the diialysis

center

is the limited or I should say

the absence of a nephologist

and even when the nephologist comes from

Georgetown

the visits are inconsistent.

A medical doctor is also needed to look

over the patients and to translate the

labs.

We treat illness

after it becomes severe instead of

preventing

certain illnesses early.

This approach

costs more, reduces productivity

and strains families.

Prevention is not optional.

It is economically and socially

necessary.

Mr. Speaker,

mental health remains one of the most

neglected areas. Yes,

>> we are witnessing rising suicide rates.

>> Based on World Health estimates compiled

into rankings for 2025,

>> Guyana ranks number three on that list

for suicide.

Wow.

>> Substance abuse among youth

>> in secondary schools is increasing.

>> Limited counseling services

in had inadequate rehabilitation

facilities.

Mental health is health.

A nation cannot heal physically

>> while ignoring psychological trauma.

>> Symbiolic

allocations are not enough. Mr. Speaker,

strategic investment is required.

>> Mr. Speaker,

citizens still hear the drug is out of

stock. you will have to buy it outside.

>> This was said in 2024.

>> This was said in 2025 and it's still

being said in 2026.

>> Mr. Speaker, let's turn our attention to

the Auditor General's report.

>> On page 136, you will find

this information.

their outstanding deliveries from two

suppliers

for drugs

for 2022

and the year 2023.

In 2022, there's an outstanding of 13

million

$851,000.

And in 2023, there's an outstanding

$80,231,000.

>> What is troubling

is that the legal department of the

ministry.

>> When asked about this,

they indicated that they're in the

process of closing these two contracts.

The advice from the auditor general,

I find it very inadequate.

The advice from the auditor general

was to have the agency

have these contractors honor their

contractual obligation.

Mr. speaker

at number 300 on that same page

from August 2024

to April

>> 2025

we have exhausted

1 billion

97 million

518,000

dollar

on expired drugs that have already been

disposed of.

And that is not all.

>> Okay, this is all you've ex uh

you've consumed the 30 minutes. You'll

have 5 minutes to conclude.

>> Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

for the period of August 2024

to April 2025. We still have a yet to

dispose of another set of drugs, expired

drugs, mind you.

>> 654 million,

$586,000

worth of expired medication. Jesus.

>> Mr. Mr. Speaker,

where is the accountability for

procurement failures?

Where is the transparent reporting on

supply chain weaknesses?

This reflects weak a weak procurement

system, poor forecasting,

limited accountability.

A public health system that shift costs

to patients

is failing his mandate.

In closing, Mr. Speaker,

region 10 deserves better.

>> Its people

have given too much to be continually

overlooked.

As we debate

the 2026 budget,

let us remember that development

must be measured

not by glossy presentations,

but by lived realities

of our citizens.

Until

region 10 is fully included in Guyana's

development agenda,

we cannot honestly claim that this

budget serves all gy.

Therefore, I call on this government

to immediately

regularize the leadership of region 10,

ensuring that the offices of regional

chairman and vice chairman are properly

constituted in accordance with the law.

Restoring democratic governance and

meaningful consultations

at the regional level.

Allocate adequate resources for

infrastructure,

health, education

in the region. Invest in economic

diversification and job creation for

regional communities.

Ensure transparency,

accountability,

and timely implementation of projects.

fully restore the RDC's role in

reviewing, amending, and approving

regional budgets, including the

transparent disclosure of how priorities

were determined,

clear guidelines and safeguard to

prevent the reoccurrence of such

exclusionary practices in any region of

Guyana.

respect for local democratic organs

not as an obstacle to administration

but as partners in development.

Health is an investment in productivity

>> in dignity and national unity.

If oil wealth cannot guarantee quality

health care for every gym,

then development has failed its purpose.

This house

must demand more than figures.

We must demand results

and for this reason we strongly opposed

this budget 2026. Thank you.

Thank you very much, honorable member.

And now for the honorable minister of

health, Dr. Frank Anthony.

>> Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker,

honorable members.

and growth.

>> In 2025,

>> after completing a very successful term,

>> we went to we went to the electorate

to get our mandate renewed.

>> We did not go to them with a broken

record.

>> We did not go to them with empty

promises.

>> We went to them. We went to the gy

people with a track record of

accomplishments.

Some of those

fulfill the immediate needs of the Gy

people while others lay the foundation

for a transformation of our country.

On the 1st of September 2025,

>> the people of Guyana

made their choice,

>> which was the overwhelming choice for

the president of this country, Dr.

Muhammad

Ali and the People's Progressive Party.

>> The people,

>> Mr. Speaker,

Because

>> the people of region 4

>> also made a choice.

>> Because of the PPP's

vision, leadership and transformation,

for the first time, the people of region

4 voted solidly for the people's

progressive party.

Mr. Speaker,

>> we want to thank the people of region 4

>> for making such a choice.

That's right.

>> And we want to thank all of Guyana for

choosing President Ali and the People's

Progressive Party to lead this country

in a new era of prosperity.

in this house.

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> in the leadup to the elections,

>> we unveil to the Gy people,

>> a manifesto,

a blueprint for the next 5 years.

This budget, Mr. Speaker,

this budget 2026

is the first installment

to implement the policies and

initiatives outlined in our manifesto.

I want to commend Dr. Ashley Singh and

his team for presenting a budget that

unifies rather than divides. A budget

that does not discriminate,

does not exclude

and does not hesitate to put the people

of Guyana first.

It is a budget grounded in fairness,

guided by compassion,

>> and anchored in the simple but powerful

belief that every single Gy matters.

>> Yes.

Mr. Speaker,

with the elections,

there were also some new configurations

in the opposition benches.

>> And we can categorize them

as less,

>> lesser, and the least.

>> That's right.

>> AND THEY KNOW THEMSELVES.

THERE ARE SOME NEW faces over there,

>> but the practice

>> is the same tired politics,

>> divisive,

>> sir,

>> backward,

>> backwardlooking

and utterly bankrupt of ideas.

Little wonder

>> that they are the less and the lesser

and the least.

>> Mr. Speaker,

the at no wind opposition

has said that this budget has nothing

for people.

>> We never said THAT FACT.

>> BUT LET'S CHECK THE FACTS.

>> What do we have

>> for the young people of this country?

What do we have for the old people of

this country?

>> What do we have

>> for the adults of this country?

>> Let me start so that you will hear.

>> Let's start by putting babies first.

>> That's right.

>> Antiatal care

>> for mothers.

14,000 mothers benefit annually from

antiatal care.

And I heard

the honorable member who spoke before me

>> was talking about expectant mothers not

having proper care in the hinterland.

But you know the honorable member is

probably very anchored in Lynden

>> and he doesn't know what is happening in

the rest of the country.

But if

but if he had taken a chance to go out,

he would have known

that over the last couple of years

under this PPPC government that we have

built 11 waiting homes.

What is a waiting home?

What is a waiting home?

When

you want to give when you want to

>> get a baby,

>> you don't have to wait until you go into

labor and then try to get to the

hospital.

What you do is that you go there before

you wait

>> and you wait

>> and when YOU GO INTO LABOR we move you

across so that you can deliver safely at

our hospitals.

Right now

>> as we speak,

>> we have 100 beds in 11 waiting homes in

regions 1, 7, 8, 9, and counting.

>> Mr. Speaker,

on babies,

we have started the baby grant.

Every baby born now, they will get

$100,000.

And I know the member said he's very

concerned about what is happening in the

interior,

>> but every mother in the interior that

gave birth at one of our facilities

also would get a post-natal hamper.

>> Wow.

>> Wow. which consist

of care products both for the mother and

babies.

And oh, every year over the last couple

of years, we have been distributing

close to 3,000

postnatal hampers to our mothers.

>> Mr. Speaker,

when a child goes to the health center,

they can access more than 18 different

antigens of different types of vaccines

that protect them from childhood

intervention.

That, my friend, is good preventative

practice.

>> Mr. Speaker, let's move from the babies

now.

>> Let us go to children.

So

when a child starts nursery school, Mr.

Speaker,

we are able to screen that child

so that we can check if they are hearing

properly.

We can check if they are seeing

properly.

we can do a dental checkup for them and

I should urge the member to also do part

of these dental checkups in London.

>> Mr. Speaker,

over the last two years

we have checked 18,374

nursery school children.

And

when we screen them not only for these

areas but a general screening

if anything is wrong with them we bring

them into the public health system and

we work to fix the problems that they

have

>> and it's all free of cost.

>> Mr. Mr. Speaker,

>> last year we introduced the universal

lab voucher

which can be used in the case of

children to screen for congenital

conditions

such as cickle cell anemia.

And since we have introduced this

voucher, we have screened 13,112

children across this country.

>> Mr. Speaker,

when they grow older and they have to

move from nursery into primary school,

again, we'll do a screening for them.

A general checkup that is age

appropriate

and we also do the vision, hearing and

dental checkups.

So far we have screened 55,717

children in primary schools across this

country.

secondary school

>> and when they move

from primary into secondary

>> we have started that process of

screening secondary school children

and so far we have screened 6,58

children in our secondary school.

>> When you look at this budget, Mr.

Speaker,

these are the kinds of initiatives

that are in this budget that our people

across this country would benefit from.

The children of Guyana would be

benefiting from these initiative.

Yet the friends on the other side, if I

can call them friends,

>> choose your friends, dear friends.

>> You're right.

they come to this house

>> and every one of them

>> who spoke so far got up and said they

cannot support this budget

>> because there's nothing for the people

in this budget.

>> Well, some of these things that I have

told you,

>> are these things to people?

Are these some abstract number?

>> This is real people getting real benefit

from the budget and from this

government.

>> Mr. Speaker,

every school child as was said

repeatedly

now gets 85,000

peranom

when they were in government. Whether

they over there or some of them over

there,

>> all the same.

>> THEY WEAR THE SAME APP. NO,

>> THEY'RE ALL THE SAME.

>> And we know the story.

They took away the because we care grant

and replace it with some of these bees

and we don't have to go down that road