3RD SITTING – THIRTEENTH PARLIAMENT | 2026 BUDGET DEBATE | DAY 2| PART 4

Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

My time says 611.

Let me invite the honorable member, Mr.

Gobin

Harbagan. to make his presentation.

>> Son,

Mr. Speaker,

fellow honorable members of this

honorable house,

I rise to address to this house the

honorable minister Ashne for putting the

budget

2026 which I'm going to put a name to

that budget during my speech.

The budget's entitled putting people

first. But this title does not reflect

what is really inside this budget.

The budget presentation to this nation

is largely a magical

a magical state show.

The budget of $1.55 trillion.

It's a showpiece in a in it's a stunning

with the size and a whopping 12.7

increase over the 2025 budget. Instead

of help helping the people and the

ordinary people, it mainly benefit a

small group of wealthy political

connected connection and individual.

Meanwhile, the working people continue

to struggle in poverty and high cost of

living. Mr. Speaker,

Mr. Speaker, the nearly 7-hour long

budget presentation was full of big

numbers, large speeches, but failed to

deal with the real problem facing the

Gyian. The 2026 budget 1.5 trillion

trillion 1.558 trillion is the largest

in the history of Guyana. Mr. Speaker,

>> yet despite the huge amount of money in

this budget, Mr. Speaker,

>> yes, sir. 58 58% of the population lives

in poverty.

>> A big a big budget alone does not mean

people live life will improve. What

matters is how this money helping

communities. This budget does not give

hope for a better future for gy. Mr.

Speaker,

>> it doesn't.

>> Mr. Speaker, I will show that this

budget is another attempt to make the

people believe that this government care

while the hardship continue. Mr.

Speaker,

Mr. Speaker, the increase in the $5,000

Oage pension. Many many pension are on

wheelchairs and the $3,000 increase in

public assistance is unfair and nothing

short of worse form of heartlessness

shown towards those who

>> Yes. those who cannot help themselves.

Mr. Speaker, many elderly disabled

person cannot survive

on this amount especially when when

price keep rising inflation quickly

erases increase. Mr. Speaker, people

will continue to struggle. Mr. Speaker,

while while many of these leaders who

prepare this budget, I want to ask one

question, Mr. Speaker. Will they willing

to live on 46 or $25,000 per month? Mr.

Speaker, I I repeat, will they willing

to live on 46 or $25,000 per month? The

answer is no. This showed a lack of care

for the helpless people. Imagine the PPP

government can afford to pay a foreign

consultant 650 million US approximately

143 million Ghana dollar each month to

adi get advice on GPL. Are they advising

GPL on how to give us more blackout?

>> We still getting blackout.

>> Mr. Speaker, honorable

minister Zulfar Mustapa

give a blank speech about rice. I will

ask the honorable minister Zulfar

Mustapa come in front of the class. I

will give a lecture on rice too. I was

told he's a heavy weight.

Mr. Speaker,

Minister of Agriculture has a a budget

of 10013.2

billion. Mr. Speaker,

rice

>> in region six.

>> I plant rice.

>> In region six, agriculture is very

important. Rice farmer is struggling,

Mr. Speaker, because the cost of

production is too high. The agriculture

minister don't have a solution to the

rice farmer with the cost of production.

>> For example, Mr. Speaker to rent one

crop of rice to rent to rent one crop of

land is approximately 25 to 30,000 per

crop generally two crop per year farmer

grow

>> this high this high cost of rent for

land make it difficult for the rice

farmer to make a decent profit minister

zulfikar

the government promised to open up more

land for rice farmer which will have

reduced the cost of production ction

especially in Barbies but those promise

has not been kept Mr. Speaker Zufi, the

people are wait for the land we promised

to open up.

>> Presently in region six. Presently in

region six. Presently in region six.

Honorable minister, I call you

honorable. Honorable minister in region

6. In region 6, 78,000 acres of rice

land in region 6. Out of the 78,63,000

plant. Why? Why?

>> No is correct. The total approximately,

Mr. Speaker, approximately rice land in

this country is about 238,000 acres.

Tell me I'm wrong there, Mr. Speaker. I

say approximately,

>> Mr.

Mr. Speaker, open up more land, open up

more land, Mr. Speaker, will reduce the

cost and the increase of income for rice

farmer. But they that the highest cost

of rice farmer is Mr. Speaker is on

rent.

>> Are you hear me talk now?

>> Mr. Speaker, the last during the last

crop, the government provide a $300 bag.

A $300 bags sub subsidy, but fertilizer

price increase the same time. $300 you

give them people to put in them pocket

and then the fertilizer increase. Mr.

Speaker, who the farmer does not benefit

from that?

>> Mr. Mr. Speaker, when when honorable

minister Zulfar Mustapa, honorable

Zamal, pay careful attention because you

just run in there early. Mr. Speaker,

60 6,200 for was a bank for fertilizer.

When they give that $300,

after they give that $300, Mr. Speaker,

the fertilizer increased by $6,800. Tell

me I'm lying there. Honorable minister.

>> Yes, you are.

>> Mr. Speaker, that's a difference of $600

Ghana dollar. Mr. Speaker,

rice farmers in this country employ

approximately 20,000 employees. That's a

high number for a private sector, sir.

>> Mr. Speaker, let me further add and

refresh the honorable minister. During

his speech, he was kicking fire in that

site. I was watching him but I want to

remind him rice it rice alone earn a

hundred billion dollar a year which is

approximately $500 million US and then

you got the heart to talk about rice

farmer and in your budget your 2026

budget you put $430 million Ghana dollar

for the farmer and you say you care let

me move on I don't want to stick on one

thing because I got 15 minutes big

people of time

in in addition in addition Minister in

addition Mr. Speaker

in 2025 in 2025

Gau received 13.3 billion.

In 2025 Gau received $13.3 billion. Mr.

Speaker, 2026 Gau received $13.4

billion. And still the sugar workers are

complaining about wages, salary, not

getting this the incentive. Mr. Speaker,

>> the sugar worker are complaining during

out of crop. They only getting three to

four day 4 day work a week. How much of

that 13.4 billion is going to them?

Honorable Minister Zulfukar,

>> how much

the the sugar workers have complained

that three to four three to four days

per week, which is not enough to take

care of their family. A few weeks ago,

the sugar worker and the quarantine

reached out to myself and the honorable

opposition leader Azadine Muhammad. We

went to 10 and we reach over 200 rice

sugar workers. When we reach them, YOU

KNOW WHAT THEY COMPLAIN OUT OF THE

BUDGET WHERE YOU get in 2025 the 13 the

13.3. They complain that they only

making 6 thou 16,000 to 18,000 per week

which is not enough to maintain the

family due to the cost of living.

Minister, you should not be proud of

that. Mr. Speaker,

>> Mr. Speaker, the honorable minister

jumping like Bruce Lee on the other

side. He talk about cattle farmers.

You're talking about cattle farmers in

East Borbies. The cattle far the cattle

farmers are requesting more savannah

land. They're requesting more savannah

land on a lease agreement. If the cattle

farmer in Barbie, are you listening?

Listen carefully. I'm advocating that

the open land and give lease for the

savannah.

>> Right. The lack of this land, the lack

of this land will would create that the

people have a pasture to carry the

animal and have lease to develop it.

Right now, Mr. Speaker, at presently,

due to the lack of cattle pasture, the

cattle and the animal is on the public

road roaming people believe that the

public road is the cattle pasture.

Mr. Speaker the government also over the

years few years coming from minister

Zulfi honorable Zului that he he going

to open up agro processing I listen to

that word in 2022

and in and it process industry in region

six to create jobs support farmers once

again nothing has happened this is

repeatedly broken promise and it leave

the people frustrated and disappointed I

have a page but let me go to NDI IA this

is where the

NDIA let me touch on NDIA

honorable minister in your budget have

$81.9 billion for drainage and

irrigation how money plenty Zamal

honorable

>> money plenty there 81.9 billion

>> and if the rain fall for 24 hours bab

you znack PLEASE FLOOD

>> PLEASE FLOOD

>> PLEASE

NO TRA

>> AND IF ME TELL YOU WHAT them do for

farmer and the cash cur farmer losing

millions they will shift the blame on

the four agency honor the minister I

don't know if you know but I think you

know you get NDIA water users

association sometime RDC NDC you have a

duplicate

for agency doing the same thing there's

room for what

>> no because you get what because drainage

and irrigation look there. Honorable

minister.

>> Oh man, get some respect now.

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> Mr. Speaker,

the education sector. M Mr. Speaker, let

me shift to education get manners now.

Old people say when you see good people

attack must get some respect. Stay

quiet. Mr. Speaker, the education sector

allocated a massive one

189 183.6 billion in the education

sector. That's the second largest after

infrastructure. The bulk of the finance

will go towards infrastructural project

like building new schools,

>> repair the existence one. But school

school alone do does not educate

children. Quality education depends on

well trained and qualified teachers who

are properly paid. Better salary for

teachers is necessary to improve

teaching to a standard to ensure

students are receive a better quality of

education. Mr. Speaker,

>> some of the school in region six lack of

basic thing like such as highsp speeded

internet functioning library we need to

look into that and we talking about data

and and internet speed in school

of

>> Mr. Speaker, I want to to go on the

biggest budget that we have here. The

min the Ministry of Public Works have

the largest budget, a whopping.1

196.1 billion. Yes. Yes. Yes. Mi Mr.

Speaker, roads and bridges are

important, but people must come first.

Many project cost too much to deliver

and poor result. Every time you spend

money, billions of dollars, people want

you result in a Ko and all your Facebook

psoot.

Well, wind is not against infrastructure

development. Priority must be given to

the nation citizen. However, development

must appear to be not to be a show only.

It must be a real and not an exhibition

of reckless spending and squandering is

not the best interest of the people.

Mr. Speaker,

>> electricity remain a a serious problem.

Electricity remain a serious problem in

East Burbies. We got blackout often, Mr.

Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we get blackout

often in Borbies. Left, right, and

center.

>> Right. You happen daily. It's not only

affecting It's not only affecting homes,

you affecting business, hospital, water

supply. and government is spending

billions on that. Mr. Speaker,

>> it cost the government 48.8

million per day, which which is about

17.8 billion a year to operate the two

power ship we have plus $25 billion a

year in fuel. With that huge expense,

one will expect that there will be some

sort of improvement in the electricity

supply. But remember this is Guyana

under the PPP administration

can come at the front.

>> Honorable member, you'll need an

extension to continue so you can

conclude in 5 minutes.

>> Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask for the

honorable member to be given 5 minutes

to complete his presentation.

>> Honorable member, you may proceed to

conclude.

>> Mr. Speaker, I have to skip a whole page

to to go over here, but I'm doing so

good. Mr. Speaker,

>> there is 19 NDC and three municipality

in East Berbies all highly controlled by

the ruling party that that it make it it

make it impossible for local leaders is

unable to carry out their mandate the

the mandate as independent servant of

their constituency. They are compelled

to obey the authorities that in align

with party politics and not in the

interest of their community. This this

officer took an oath and they have they

were elected democratically to run their

NDC.

>> Exactly.

>> But did they fail? Mr. Speaker, in East

Barbies, let me stick with that. Zaml,

pay attention.

>> Mr. Speaker, in East Barbies, we have

approximately

285 counselors that East Barbies. We

have 42 counselors within the three

municipalities. We have 30 RDC

counselors. And yet we have major

problem in the in the NDC's and

constituency.

>> Mr. Speaker, all the NDC municipality in

this country would have received a

government subvention in 2025 a sum of

$30 million for each NDC. The the the

municipality get $60 million each. And I

will be fair and honest to the local

government minister. Honorable minister,

she a few weeks ago mentioned to that

the ND some of the NDC still have this

subvention and not using it. Thank you

for your honesty.

>> Mr. Mr. Speaker,

>> Mr. Speaker, 100.1 billion allocated for

the ministry of home affairs. Security

is important.

Yet the phones of some police station is

not working. For example, Springland's

police station telephone has been dung

for two months now. Two months.

>> And then you say bar.

>> Mr. Speaker, East Barbies people are

complaining that when they call the

police, they are told that there are no

vehicle available. They they they advise

the people to wait on patrol. By the

time the patrol arrive, it's little too

late. But I don't want to blame the

police. They they they work with

whatever resource they have.

>> Mr. Barbie, Mr. Speaker. Yeah, that's

okay. Laugh me. Mr. Speaker,

Mr. Speaker, the 2026 has a big budget

for Barbies. I agree. Mr. Speaker, m Mr.

Speaker, the lack the lack of a regional

tender board. Mr. Speaker, Zal, pay

attention. This is going in your favor,

but it never happen under my watch. Mr.

Speaker,

the absent of a regional tender board,

many of these overnight contractors

without knowledge and experience are

giving contracts on a silver platter.

They are giving contract in a silver

platter because they have connection.

These contractor will subcontract this

contractor to a most experienced

contractor. And once they experience the

contractor will make a cut, the the

subcontractor will make a cut. And Mr.

Speaker, taxpayers not getting value for

money.

>> Mr. Speaker, in closing, Mr. Speaker, I

want to reflect on what the honorable

Ashley Singh said in this house during

his budget speech and I quote, he said

there is a Gy language called

scatteration. Yes,

>> some over there, some over there and

some out there.

>> I want to remind him of another one

called labard

>> which mean any and anyhow, Mr. Speaker,

this budget is a labor one and any and

anyhow, this budget does not benefit the

Gy people. The Gy people I thank you and

here are some proof of flooding and

everything where you talking about I got

proof. Thank you.

Thank you very much honorable member Mr.

Gobin Harbagan.

>> Now we invite the honorable member

Miss Susan Rodriguez to make her

presentation. Honorable minister don't

do that.

>> Take your time and fix everything and

take a

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

>> I begin by commending my colleague, the

senior minister,

Dr. Ashik Kumar Singh and his team on a

fantastic budget. I also wish to commend

my team at the Ministry of Tourism,

Industry and Commerce for their hard

work and dedication in preparing our

submissions.

>> Mr. Speaker, and I pick up immediately

where my colleague, the honorable Sarah

Brown, left off. The members of the

opposition, all of them combined, APNU,

AFC, WIN, all of them over there, they

have all the bright ideas when they're

in opposition and they have no power to

get anything done for the people of this

country.

>> The honorable member who spoke just

before me, honorable Harban,

>> he's talking about who is jumping like

Bruce Lee, but he jumped like

grasshopper. HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF

EVERY single party in this house. Every

single party in this house. He has once

been a member of. No conviction

whatsoever.

He went with his government, APN NEW

AFC.

>> APN NEW AFC. They went to the PEOPLE IN

REGION 6 AND THEY PROMISED THEM $9,000 a

bag for Patty. Remember that?

>> $9,000 a bag for Patty. That's correct.

And then the go the the president said,

"President Granger, rice is private

business.

>> Rice is private business."

>> Where was he?

>> WHEN THEY TOOK AWAY THE money from the

school children, the children in region

SIX WERE DEPRIVED OF THE BECAUSE we care

grant as well.

>> WHERE WAS

>> WHERE WAS HE WHEN no investment WAS MADE

IN SCHOOLS? WHEN NOT a single secondary

school was built in region six or any

other part of THE COUNTRY.

>> WHERE WAS

>> WHERE WAS he when NO HOSPITALS WERE

BUILT? WHEN NO HIGHWAYS WERE BUILT,

>> WHEN NO INVESTMENT was made in the

region? When 7,000 sugar workers were

sent home, PUTTING THE PEOPLE OF REGION

6 ON THE BREAD LINE? WHERE WAS HE THEN?

>> WHERE WAS

>> WHERE WAS HIS CONSCIENCE THEN? WHERE WAS

HIS ADVOCACY FOR THE PEOPLE OF REGION 6

then?

Where was

>> and now he has left the house.

>> Then before him

>> came the honorable Sherah Duncan.

>> My God. speaking about the the housing

ministry.

THE AUDACITY TO SPEAK ABOUT the housing

ministry when his government during the

2015 to 2020 period dismantled the

ministry of housing.

No housing program

only 7,000 house lots delivered during

their 5 years IN OFFICE.

THEY BUILT A HANDFUL OF HOMES and he's

talking ABOUT HOUSING SOLUTIONS. THE

ONLY housing solution they had was to

give DISCOUNTS ON HOUSE LOTS that were

already subsidized. HOUSE LOTS THAT WERE

WERE DEVELOPED BY THIS People's

Progressive Party Civic Government and

left there.

Mr. Speaker, we have delivered 53,000

house lots and the honorable member

stated it himself. We have built 4,000

homes.

Four to 6%

of all our allotties are single women.

This is how you empower people. This is

how you deliver housing. And then when

you come to this house and you want to

make personal attacks at people, you

have to remember your own RECORD BECAUSE

YOUR RECORD TRAILS YOU. IT FOLLOWS YOU.

AND SO THE HONORABLE Sherah Duncan was

cited IN THE AUDIT REPORT BY THE Guyana

National Printers, the the GNNL,

National Newspapers Limited,

>> FOR spending money contrary TO THE

TENDERBOARD RULES. MR. SPEAKER, HIS OWN

GOVERNMENT FIRED HIM.

>> HIS OWN GOVERNMENT FIRED HIM. AND THEN

ONLY RECENTLY when he ran for leadership

of his party, HIS PARTY REJECTED HIM IN

favor of an outsider.

story.

>> And so now he has caused once again

>> WITH THE PNC,

>> BUT I can withstand scrutiny.

>> I can speak openly to the public. Do not

mix my success with government. Honor

Rebel Cheryl Duncan, if you are not

making progress in your own life, that's

your problem.

Your disparaging remarks or any

disparaging remarks will never penetrate

me. I know who I am and I can withstand

scrutiny and I can look all of you in

the eye AND DEFEND MY RECORD.

>> MR. SPEAKER, HALF OF THEM OVER THERE are

running from their own shadows and the

others are RUNNING FROM THE LAW. BUT IT

WILL CATCH UP. It will catch up with

them.

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> THIS BUDGET,

>> THE first for this term in office

is the vehicle

through which we will begin the work to

achieve the com the commitments made in

our 2025 to 2030 manifesto.

>> Mr. Speaker,

the public is aware that the People's

Progressive Party Civic take our

commitments seriously

and that we were able to deliver all of

the promises we made in our 2020 to 2025

manifesto. And therefore, the public

knows that they can trust this

government to deliver all of our

commitments in the next 5 years.

>> Mr. Speaker, I heard members on the

opposition side take VALUABLE TIME out

of their budget presentations

>> to debate the theme of the budget.

>> Big controversy

over the theme of the budget. Not the

content contained in the budget, but the

theme of the budget. Putting people

first.

But maybe, Mr. Speaker, they are

obsessed with themes and slogans.

So we are less preoccupied with who

first crafted the term putting people

first and more occupied with ensuring

that all of the initiatives contained in

this budget puts people first.

And so, Mr. Speaker, immediately after

the budget was presented to the country,

we saw a number of organizations,

private sector organizations making

statements, long statements. In fact,

the longest I've seen because there were

so many measures and initiatives

contained in the budget that they took

time to list it. That's right.

>> To list all of it.

The Tourism and Hospitality Association

of Guyana calling this budget bold and

forwardlooking development agenda. Mr.

Speaker, that is putting people first.

That's right.

THE WOMEN'S CHAMBER OF Commerce and

Industry, a progressive blueprint

responsive responsive to the challenges

of the business community and aligned,

listen to this, and aligned with the

critical needs of women entrepreneurs,

professionals, and families. employing

targeted measures that empower women.

That is putting people first.

>> That's right.

>> The Ghana Manufacturing and Services

Association says this budget

strengthening economic resilience,

diversification,

and inclusive growth. Inclusive means

everybody will benefit. Putting people

first.

THE private sector commission

improving the quality of life for all

gyres.

Budget 2026 includes initiatives that

support families,

workers, and the most vulnerable. That

is putting people first.

The GCCI

strategic focus on the development of

its people that is putting people first.

Mr. Speaker, these are real

organizations

representing real people and affecting

real change. These are not bots on

social media. These are not fake

accounts on social media that cannot

cannot affect real change. These are

real organizations.

That's right.

>> Organizations also commended the

government for its responsiveness to

feedback and recommendations through

meaningful consultations that effected

the positive changes that we now see in

this budget. Idle gossip and relentless

commentary on Facebook do not lead to

positive changes for the Gy people. Mr.

Speaker,

Guyana continues to experience

phenomenal growth under this People's

Progressive Party Civic Government.

This is a story of holistic development

reflected in a 19.3%

growth rate in 2025

with the nono economy expanding by

14.3%.

These figures underscore broadbased

growth

>> broad-based growth across key sectors

including agriculture, construction,

mining, manufacturing, and of course

services.

As reflected in budget 2026,

every presentation you will hear from

this side of the house, Mr. speaker will

tell a tangible story of positive direct

impact on the lives of gy.

Everything we do as a government is

premised on one ideology, putting people

first.

Budget 2026 is bold and ambitious.

It reflects the continued determination

of the People's Progressive Party to

improve quality of life for every GY and

to foster inclusive economic growth.

>> When one looks at the budget measures

alone, it becomes abundantly clear that

the people of Guyana remain at the

center of each new initiative.

The budget removes burdens and delivers

benefits.

Where one side is known for callous

removal of benefits and the imposition

of hardship taxes, this PPP government

removes taxes and burdens and delivers

benefits which increase year upon year.

200 NEW TAXES

TOOK MONEY FROM the children. That is

the legacy of the APNU AFC coalition.

And they come to this house and cry

crocodile tears for the pensioners. But

Mr. Speaker, it was their government

that taxed electricity and WATER THAT

REMOVED THE SUBSIDY that was there for

the pensioners. We didn't have oil

money, but we gave the pensioners

subsidy for electricity and water.

>> They removed it.

Plus, they increased water tariffs, Mr.

Speaker, by 100%

in 5 years when they were in government,

placing hardship, burdens on the people

of Guyana, especially our pensioners.

But they come here now to cry crocodile

tears. They're so concerned about the

pensioners. We have doubled

all age pension and continue to increase

it year upon year. The old age pension

is not an annual sum. It is a monthly.

>> That's correct.

>> It is a monthly amount that is given to

our pensioners. That's right.

>> Cost of living relief measures

include a $100,000 cash grant

>> to every adult citizen,

>> subsidized fuel,

>> cheaper electricity,

>> increase in the income tax threshold to

140,000 per month,

>> increase pensions, and of course

increase public assistance alongside

higher stipens for CSOS and CPGs

measures Measures included expanded

small business support through improved

access to financing, zero interest

rates,

and reduced collateral requirements.

upgrades to transport and aviation

infrastructure,

including river transport and air and

airport expansion, targeted support for

tourism, culture, and the orange economy

through through dedicated funding and

incentives are all initiatives that

support people development.

>> GOAL

SAY GOAL.

THEY have

>> they have G O A L

>> they have a tendency Mr. SPEAKER

OF TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ALL OF the

initiatives

that we implement under the People's

Progressive Party CIVIC AND THEN

DISCOURAGE their supporters and curse

those initiatives. AND WE SAW IT here

yesterday with the doctor who benefited

from the gold scholarship program. They

will take it and then curse IT AND

DISCOURAGE OTHER people from benefiting

from it. It was the same thing during

CO. You would recall when we made the

COVID vaccines available, THEY CAME

FIRST in line, line up, took the

vaccines AND THEN TOLD THE PUBLIC THAT

the vaccine is dangerous

>> and that they MUST NOT TAKE IT.

>> SAME THING THEY DO WITH HOUSE LOTS.

THEY'VE BENEFITED FROM THE HOUSING

PROGRAM, BUT THEY CURSE THE program and

they will TELL PEOPLE DON'T BOTHER APPLY

FOR A HOUSE LOT. You're not going to get

it.

So that

>> that is how that is a very dangerous

characteristic

>> of those in the opposition and that is

why you cannot trust anything that they

say.

>> Mr. Speaker,

>> turning now

>> to a tourism development.

>> Finally,

>> the tourism sector

continues to exceed expectations.

>> That's right. and is now firmly

established as a main pillar of Guyana

national development agenda.

Tourism will play a key role in the

expansion

and diversification

of our economy.

the removal of all duties and taxes on

ATVs and outboard engines up to 150

horsepower and the introduction of flat

rate taxes for double cap pickup

vehicles.

These three measures alone

make essential tourism transport more

affordable and reduces operating costs

for tour operators, eco lodges and

communities.

Reduce operating costs results in the

reduced cost for tourism experiences,

especially our domestic tourists.

But that's not all.

In 2026,

there will be massive expansion and

rehabilitation of hinterland and coastal

air strips, the new arrival terminal at

Cherij Jagen International Airport,

major allocations for roads and bridges

including the Lynden to Mabura road, the

Mabura to Lind to Letham corridor, the

Kurupukari Bridge, the New Amsterdam to

Molson Creek Highway among many others.

I WAS IN FLORIDA.

>> ALL OF these address the thing YOU BUY.

>> ALL of these address the issue of cost.

Jealousy is a real thing.

>> Further immediately after taking up this

role, I held consultations with the

hotelers and lodges and a special rate

was introduced for Gion at home and in

the diaspora

>> by several hotels and lodges. The

president himself called for reduction

in domestic airfare and some airlines

have already reduced airfare by up to 9%

for domestic travel. This will not only

support tourism but will support our

Amarindian communities.

Successes in the tourism sector are many

and include recordbreaking visitor

arrivals in 2025.

453,489

visitors reflecting Guyana's strongest

tourism performance to date, a 22%

increase compared to 2024.

12 new airlines have been added to the

Guyana route since 2020.

Six new major hotel brands were added

>> in 2025, adding 738 rooms to the

country's official room stock.

Guyana is on track to add over 1,000

additional rooms in 2026,

increasing total room stock to over

5,600

by end of 2026, up from 3,280

in 2020.

18 newly registered Airbnb

establishments in 2025,

adding nearly 70 rooms, bringing the

total to 115 establishments and 544

rooms.

>> Advancement of new tourism products, eco

lodges, river and hintterland

experiences, heritage and cultural

tourism.

15 new experiential ex experiences were

developed and launched in 2025.

This takes us to 79 new experiences

launched since 2020.

>> We launched the tourism is everybody's

business campaign to raise awareness and

influence positive societal change

encouraging all gy to play their part.

The worldclass tourism and hospitality

institute is expected to be completed

this year, strengthening professional

training and service excellence across

the industry. Training is ongoing and

the GTA has trained over 8,000 persons

since 2020.

>> Honorable minister, you'll need an

extension to continue.

>> Mr. Speaker, I don't

>> I challenge you, but no, I checked

before 6:30.

>> The honorable member started at 6:25.

>> She has 35 minutes.

>> They according to Harbajan finished at

6:32.

>> She began immediately after

>> you're correct,

>> right? So, you have 10 more minutes

>> plus five. Yes.

>> Thank you.

>> Very good deal. Very good,

>> Mr. Speaker, Guyana continues to earn

international recognition,

securing the bronze award for exhibition

design at Japan Expo 2025.

>> Guyana was featured in Bloomberg's Where

to Go in 2026.

>> New York Times 52 places to go in 2026,

and Wonderless the Good to Go list in

2026.

Looking ahead, as Guyana makes its

diamond jubilee anniversary,

marks its Diamond Jubilee anniversary

and positions itself as a regional hub

for events, several conferences, and

international engagements will be

hosted.

>> The Guyana Energy Conference and Supply

Chain Expo this month.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency will

host its 70th annual health research

conference in April. The Institute of

Chartered Accountants of Guyana will be

hosting the 42nd annual Caribbean

Conference of Accountants in June. And

our judiciary will host the Caribbean

Association of Judicial Officers

Conference in November.

In that regard, it gives me great

pleasure to announce that the Caribbean

Tourism Organization's State of the

Tourism Industry Conference will be

hosted in Guyana in October for the very

first time since it its inception.

This conference is CTO's premier

gathering for tourism leaders of the

Caribbean and attracts hundreds of

regional and international delegates

positioning Guyana as a major player in

the development of my tourism that is

meetings, incentives, conferences and

exhibitions.

Additionally, we have developed our

national calendar event of events to

drive yearround visitor arrivals,

designed special packages for tourists

and visitors, introduced new we will

introduce new events like the Guyana

Festival and will elevate some of our

existing events under the stewardship of

the former minister and my colleague

Origins Fashion Festival and the One

Guyana Worship Experience.

>> Yes.

The reduction of the 14-day residency

requirement for destination weddings

unlocks opportunities and revenues for

small businesses in this rapidly growing

niche tourism market. This one measure

alone creates new opportunities for

caterers, wedding planners,

transportation service providers,

photographers and videographers,

decorators and designers among many

others. As I often say, the greatest

beneficiaries of Guyana's tourism

investments are small business owners.

That brings me now to small business

development. I began my presentation by

saying this budget is the vehicle

through which we will commence

implementation of our manifesto

commitments. One of the most exciting

manifesto commitments is the

establishment of a theme development

bank. Budget 2026 establishes that 100

million US dollar fund that will see

small and medium businesses access

interest free and collateral free loans

of up to $3 million with the possibility

of an additional $7 million through

co-inancing

with a banking institution at

preferential rates.

>> Mr. Mr. Speaker, this is not a small

one-off grant. This is access to real

finance that can really make a

difference in someone's life and

tremendously alter the course of their

future.

The announcement of special investment

zones spread across various geographical

areas attracts investment and

accelerates regional development.

Expansion of export allowance to include

value added timber products enhances

competitiveness for local manufacturers

and exporters. The removal of VAT on

locally made furniture supports domestic

manufacturing and hotels. The removal of

corporate taxes on agriculture and agro

processing strengthens value added

production and food security.

Mr. Mr. Speaker, in 2025, the Small

Business Bureau placed increased

emphasis on community development

projects aimed at strengthening

sustainability at the local level. To

date, 24 communities have benefited from

this initiative with direct impact on

approximately 250 persons. Through these

efforts, communities across almost every

region of the country are now engaged in

larger scale projects capable of

generating employment and consistent

income.

In 2026, the bureau will continue to

support small businesses through

development grants with a target of at

least 1,500 beneficiaries.

Strong emphasis will remain on

community-based projects.

Additionally, 32 businesses benefited

from the loan guarantee program,

representing an investment of more than

$270 million.

This program supports businesses seeking

expansion but lacking the collateral

required by lending institutions.

Through the SBB, we back these

businesses with up to 70% of the

collateral required to access up to $30

million.

Budget 2026 provides for assistance to

an additional 60 businesses.

In alignment with the People's

Progressive Party Civic Government's

broader initiatives to support persons

living with disability, the SBB

continues to offer collateral free

interest free loans for business

startups and expansions. In 2025, 32

persons living with disability benefited

from this initiative.

A key pillar of our small business

agenda is training. Over the last 5

years, under our government,

approximately 17,000 persons have been

trained in areas such as marketing,

financial management, and recordkeeping.

In 2025 alone, more than 3,200 small

businesses benefited from training with

a similar number to be trained in 2026.

Our monitoring and evaluation unit

continues to conduct follow-up visits to

ensure the sustainability of supported

enterprises. In 2025, the Small Business

Bureau visited 658 businesses. And I'm

pleased to report that 89% of those

supported remain operational.

You would recall the empty business

incubators

that were built under the APNU AFC

government. That was nothing more than a

shell. Under this People's Progressive

Party Civic Administration, the reality

has changed significantly. In 2025

alone, the Belvadier business incubator

produced almost 18,000 pounds of flour,

more than 3,00 2,300 L of virgin coconut

oil,

124,368

sachets of tea bags and over 250,000

bottles to support packaging. All of

this is free support given to our small

agro processors.

As a result of this incubator's

operation, terta businesses in region

five and six were not only allowed to

thrive but were able to generate

employment. Similarly, the Lethm

Business Incubator has also facilitated

the creation of jobs and continues to

provide storefront pods and office space

rentals to support small businesses in

region 9. Agro processors interested in

marketing value added products can

access glass front pods to showcase and

sell their items directly to the public.

Additionally, the Letham Business

Incubator Cent's new agroprocessing

facility is slated for commissioning in

April this year. This open concept

facility will house state-of-the-art

equipment to support farmers in Lethm

and 58 surrounding villages. It will

include two industrial walk-in

refrigerators, one for meat products,

particularly poultry, and another for

vegetables and fruits, along with four

freezers and dedicated per produce

storage space.

Our support for small business is geared

towards the expansion of nono sector

activity aligned with national

diversification goals.

The standards and quality

infrastructure, GNBS. The GNBS is the

national standards body for Guyana. With

its six core services, this agency

continues to develop, promote, and

implement national and international

standards to ensure the growth and

competitiveness of industries and ensure

the safety and protection of consumers.

The bureau continues to develop and

approve an average of over 13 national

standards annually which are important

for improvement for products and

services, streamlining and benchmarking

industry practices, regulations and

trade.

34 standards were approved last year for

storage, protective helmets for road

users, the handling and transportation

of LPG cylinders, and low pressure

regulators for LGP LPG cylinders. In

total, 68 standards were developed in

2025.

An additional 33 are projected to be

approved in 2026.

In 2026, also a national standardization

strategy 2026 to 20 2030 is expected to

be implemented. This is a multi-year

work program which prioritizes standards

to be developed in line with Guyana's

national development plans.

>> Minister, now you need that extension.

>> Okay.

confirm.

>> Yes, I can confirm now that uh the

speaker and myself have similar numbers.

Yes. Uh I would like to ask that the

honorable member be given uh five more

minutes to conclude her presentation.

>> Thank you minister. You may continue.

>> Thank you. The GNBS has a key role in

the oil and gas sector to witness the

verification of the custody transfer

meters for the accuracy of measurements

of crude on the FPSOs's offshore. In

2025, the GNBS witnessed a total of 260

lifts representing 100% of those lifts.

In 2025, the GNBS commenced the

verification of stationary speed cameras

with a total of 4 to 1,114

verifications of measuring instruments

conducted countrywide. In 2026, we are

projecting to introduce verification of

tint meters, sound level meters, and

speed limiter for trucks.

Consumer protection and fair trade. The

role of the competition and consumer

affairs commission is indispensable in

safeguarding consumer rights and

ensuring that consumers are treated with

fairness and respect.

The CCAC has maintained a robust public

information and education campaign

featuring weekly radio updates, regular

stakeholder engagements, including

active participation in key regional,

national, and industry exposes

to advocate consumer protection,

strengthen consumer education and

complaint resolution systems. These

efforts have borne significant fruit.

In 2025, the commission received 506

complaints. 8 to 5% of these cases were

resolved and the others are still being

actively pursued. The CCAC has

instituted aggressive market

surveillance to ensure fairness,

transparency, and compliance. In 2025,

1,331

business inspections were conducted in

all the administrative regions.

We project for 2026 a similar number,

resolving at least 85% of all consumer

complaints and a continuation of our

nationwide business inspections and

certification.

and of course continued awareness of the

consumer protection legislation with a

focus on remote areas.

Mr. Speaker, this budget affirms that

tourism, industry, and commerce are not

supporting sectors of development. They

are frontline drivers of national

transformation

by investing in MSMES,

strengthening access to finance through

the Guyana Development Bank, expanding

standards, and unlocking new markets for

manufacturers, farmers, creatives, and

service providers. Guyana is building an

economy where opportunity is created in

every community from the coast to the

hintterland. Every visitor welcomed,

every product exported, every business

formalized, and every consumer protected

sends a clear signal that growth in

these sectors must be inclusive,

competitive, and sustainable. This is

our commitment to position Guyana as a

destination to visit, to invest in, and

a country to build, powered by the

enterprise and ambition of its people. I

therefore commend budget 2026 for

passage in this honorable house. Thank

you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much honorable minister

of tourism, industry and commerce

Suzanne Rodrigz. And now for the

honorable member Mr.

Quy Solomon.

God is great.

>> Amen.

>> Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

>> Mr. Speaker, before this house is

invited to accept this unoriginally

titled fiction of a budget that claims

to put the GY people first. Let me first

deal with a more basic inquiry made by

the honorable minister of finance

himself. But before I do that, Mr.

Speaker, let me thank those diligent

public servants who slave to ensure that

those fictional numbers came before us

so that we can able to identify those

many discrepancies by this government.

But let me say first, Mr. Speaker, as a

reminder,

why Mr. Glanger John Herman

and even Mr. Norton. Allow me to

reintroduce myself.

My name Mr. Speaker, excuse Charm

Solomon, a proud descendant from the

village of Victoria, not gifted by the

empires, but purchased by formerly

enslaved African from the colonial

masters who still have their names. My

surname four of them. four of them to be

exact etched in the records of that

transaction. A reminder that long before

modern Guyana, we stood as ownership,

sacrificed with responsibility to build

this nation. My parents took that drive

to region 10, Mr. Speaker, and made

their contribution of building one of

the most beautiful regions in this

country on the boxside blood, sweat, and

tears.

>> But let me just say this, Mr. Speaker,

that spirit still lives on in me. Yeah.

>> So, Mr. Speaker, while the question was

asked by the minister why I was not

given a seat by Mr. Granger and Arman,

let me remind him and this GOVERNMENT

THAT I RECEIVE MORE THAN A SEAT. I GOT A

CHAIR TO SIT OPPOSITE THAT SAID minister

and the Ramar government TO DEMAND THAT

WHAT WAS TAKEN UNJUSTLY FROM THE PEOPLE

REMAIN in the budget THAT TODAY it can

still FIND ITSELF IN THIS BUDGET.

>> THAT IS WHAT I DID WITH THAT CHAIR. MR.

SPEAKER, THAT IS WHAT WE DID. BUT LET ME

JUST SAY OUTSIDE OF reminding this

minister what that chair allowed me to

do, Mr. Speaker, that today we are

benefiting region 10 benefiting in

region 10 from that. Mr. Mr. Norton said

to me TO COME HERE to ensure that we

hold you all accountable. So Mr. Norton

played his part as much as Mr. Granger

and Mr. Arman. BUT LET ME JUST SAY THAT

IT WAS ENSURING THAT ARTICLE 13 which

you Mr. Speaker would know that this

government have no responsibility to

respect the rights of citizens to be

involved in the decision-m process that

impacts their lives. So let me just say

this Mr. Speaker as much as we hear of

all the brilliance and I respect the

brilliance OF THE MINISTER ENOUGH

NUMBERS TO put together isn't easy. So

that mathematical genius of this

minister IS NOT TO QUESTION IT. It is to

question the integrity of what he do or

he does with that mathematics. So let me

REMIND THIS MINISTER AFTER YEARS OF

EXPANDING BUDGETS, record oil revenues,

GLORING PRESS RELEASES, GHANA TODAY

FACES THIS REALITY. MR. SPEAKER, 58% OF

THE population lives in poverty and

surviving on almost $1,200 a day.

>> Let me SAY THIS TO YOU, MR. SPEAKER. 38%

of this population lives in abject

poverty and exists on almost $650 a day.

That is the brilliant maths. But let me

remind our brilliant mathematician that

these figures are not the opposition

propaganda. THEY'RE THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

OF the Interamerican Development Bank,

THE VERY INSTITUTION THAT THIS MINISTER

proudly referred to on the 2nd of

December as longstanding friends. But

let me say this, friends don't lie.

Friends don't lie. Neither do they

flatter.

>> So, Mr. Speaker, in essence, the

Minister of Friends have labeled him an

utter failure for failing 58% of the GY

people who lives in poverty. THAT'S

RIGHT. BY MOVING TOWARDS MR. SPEAKER

natural resources which they've given me

the opportunity to look at. So Mr.

Speaker, let me SAY THIS. THE STATE OF

THE SECTOR and what has been done with

the promises made significantly mining

is part of the non sector and contribute

significantly to that.

>> But let me just say what that done for

those regions. What we are doing in this

opposition is to ensure that those

regions are well represented and given

their fair share. So let me remind this

house, Mr. speaker that those primary

regions of 1 7 8 9 and 10 these regions

that pro provide supply national economy

but remain structurally and socially

underdeveloped let us be clear non

extractive sector do not disappear

it went because of neglect by this

government Mr. speaker and what we have

is almost 2/3 of this land mass with

over 25% of its population cannot see

the benefits of the extractive sector.

But let me remind what goal within that

extractive sector look like in 2011 to

2015 WITH A CONSTANT target being set of

500,000 ounces. Mr. Speaker, we've never

hit that target. So the aim maybe need

to change.

>> Somebody firing blanks, Mr. Speaker.

>> But let me say outside of the blanks

they're firing BECAUSE THE APN UFC

GOVERNMENT CAME IN IN 2015 AND IN 2016

TO 2020 we had an average gold price of

up a gold declaration of over 500,000

ounces. Mr. SPEAKER. THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WE ALSO IN THAT PERIOD HIT ALMOST 700

AND over,000 ounces OF GOLD.

>> CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT?

>> BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHAT THE CONTRAST

SAYS ABOUT GOLD. YOU HAD the peak PERIOD

OF GOLD.

>> YOU HAD THE PEAK PERIOD of gold within

that 5-year period.

>> THAT'S THE PRICE WAS A HEAVY PRICE AND

WE COULDN'T MEET THE demand with supply.

BUT WHEN THE COALITION CAME IN, WE

raised the declaration to almost 700 or

over 700,000 ounces. BUT LET ME SAY WHAT

HAPPENED WHEN THE COALITION LEFT. WHEN

WE LEFT, WE HAVE NEVER FOUND A 500,000

OUNCE TARGET THAT TODAY THE MINISTER

REVISED that target to see if we can hit

again in 2026.

And we have never had the price of gold

that we have now at almost $5,000

announced, Mr. Speaker. So we have a

demand once again but we cannot meet the

supply and this is the legacy of this

government with regards to gold. But let

me talk about gas. Mr. Speaker, it was

this government in the oil sector when

we signed that contract had a lot to

say. REMEMBER THE TALK ABOUT MAKING THE

CONTRACT AVAILABLE. This government is

yet to make one of those mining

contracts available to this house and to

this nation. The way they asked the APNU

to make available the oil contract, we

call on this government now to make

those contracts available so the G

PEOPLE CAN SCRUTINIZE IT THE SAME WAY we

were able to scrutinize the Exxon

contract.

>> BUT LET ME SAY THIS TO YOU AGAIN. IN THE

NATURAL RESOURCE, we talking forestry.

We got ENOUGH TIME BUT TIMBER MR.

SPEAKER THESE communities where the

extraction of timber takes place Mr.

Speaker, these interland regions daily

the roads serve as extraction not for

residents. Value added processing is

minimal and communities remain poor.

Forests are depleted and people are not

developed. I went to Kokuani a couple

weeks ago. It tuni the minister took the

time the week before to go there. Four

matters to address concessions. the

people want close to the the communities

not addressed properly. We giving it to

the big companies THEY ASK ABOUT TAGS

CAN'T GET THE TAGS SO THAT THEY CAN

PRODUCE PROPERLY THEY ASKED ABOUT

ENSURING THE ROAD TO LINDON TO IT IS

DONE can't be done properly to date

people are suffering but what is the

biggest indictment of that visit Mr.

SPEAKER, WHAT WAS SAID TO THOSE LOGGERS

IN 2020 IS THAT A 900 MILLION FUND IS

AVAILABLE FOR loggers to access. And to

date, Mr. Speaker, that is single logger

logging association or small man which

is there claiming to putting people

first benefited from that $900 million.

A promise made in 2020 to our small

loggers. 11 of them got that money and

none of them in small. THAT IS IT. YOU

KNOW WHAT'S THE PROMISE MADE TO THOSE

LOGGERS NOW? IT IS SAID TO THEM that

some merchant bank come you don't get

when that bank come again. We hope so.

BUT LET ME SAY THIS ABOUT SAND AND

QUARRY BECAUSE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES

WHERE WE SEE the extraction of sand and

quarry although critical to the

construction boom the region providing

these material lack the durable

infrastructure receive no structural

reinvestment and suffer many

environmental degragation. Just check

the lynen suzike highway. Y'all drive

them every day. Check it out. WE SEE

BOXITE IN THIS government's claim as

being doing quite well for the

extractive sector both side we hear

about Russul coming back on stream but

the only boast of this government is

jobs that cannot be the only boast not

when Russul after leaving here and

leaving 400 of our Lindoners region 10

residents and gyes to suffer we are

bringing them back with no asurances Mr.

Mr. Speaker, that is what this house and

this country would like to know. As much

as we see the development and success in

these minerals, just like we see Bosai

is given 0.5 last year and 0.5 this year

after making exceptional profits. We are

saying it cannot be only about jobs BUT

ENSURING WORKERS AND GES are taken care

of better in this country. Mr. SPEAKER

BUT I'M COMING OUTSIDE OF THE EXTRACTIVE

sector because region 10 itself is an

extractive

and what you see when you see in region

10 it stands as a clearest distinction

of an indictment of this government's

approach to people centered economy one

of Guyana's most richest resource region

and one of its most neglected governance

in THE REGION OF 10 REGIONS THIS IS THE

ONLY region had no input into this

budget by having a sitting democratic

council to do so. THAT IN ITSELF, MR.

SPEAKER, shows the sort of neglect and

takes away that article 13 the right to

be involved in the decision making

process. SO WE ASK, MR. SPEAKER, WHO

REALLY MADE the input into this 1.55

trillion budget on behalf of the people

of region 10? That in itself is what the

people must know and that is why they

must know they got absolutely nothing

except six new roads budget for them in

budget 2026. But Mr. speak outside of

the fiction of the governance and

ensuring that the decision making

process work in the interest of the

people. THEY MUST SAY TO US WHAT Lyndon

is with regards it was Bar Jacko THE

HONORABLE WHO SAID THE administrators

within these NDCs the administrators who

are the administrators who are clerks of

councils must behave as though they're

servants and not lord over the people.

Well, Mr. Speaker, that aspect of

governance is certainly a failure when

it comes to Lynden and region 10, more

so the municipality. But it was the

honorable Bishop Edel who boasted about

the budget engagement.

What engagement that would have set him

that the ND NDI office needs to be set

up. It would have found itself in this

budget. Never consulted the primary

school for Wizrock. never consulted

drains before roads are constructed

never consulted the shared house never

ensured that that shared house work to

provide food for the people of Lynden

and region 10 Mr. Speaker so we are

saying TO YOU MR. SPEAKER THAT is what

we see for Lyndon but Lyndon is more

than than region Lynden region 10 is

more than Lynden and I can tell you

about it I tun in Kwani it was the

minister of public works who went and

put down a brand new air strip over a

60-year-old rotted pipe Mr. speaker. It

means in a few months we can go dig that

air strip up. Minister, nobody show you

that. Nobody tell you that the NDC chair

said she pointed out to your engineers

and y'all still build the air strip over

the a derelch pipe.

>> But let me say this, Mr. Speaker.

>> As you pause on, remember we can take

the extension for you to conclude.

>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move, Mr.

Speaker, I move for the honorable member

to be given 5 minutes to complete his

presentation.

>> Well, let me say this, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, comrade Ganesh.

>> You know, I remember we spoke about

these communities, region 10, region 10

with all of its extraction. The mic, the

other mic is you want

region 10 with all of its extraction.

Mr. Speaker, let me say this. These

regions represent, as I mentioned, over

75% of the land mass of this country.

They're not by accident of the

geography. In the absence of a binding

social contract with these communities,

between the extraction and the people

who live there, those extractive

communities, we are saying with high

extraction and low reinvestment, WEAK

SERVICES and limited autonomy, these

region demand a new social contract with

revenue sharing tied to the extraction

infrastructure and proportional to the

output and environmental accountability.

Human development and benchmark national

development cannot be accidental. IT

MUST BE RECIPROCAL. MR. SPEAKER, other

mining jurisdiction around the world,

THIS IS NOT NOTHING NEW. CANADA,

AUSTRALIA, WHERE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE

MINING INDUSTRIES HAVE A CONTRACT WHERE

THEY BENEFIT DIRECTLY AND IT'S NOT NEW

BECAUSE OUR AMINIUM brothers and sisters

already have that sort of benefit when

it comes to that. SO FOR REGION 1 7 8 9

and 10 this means legal recognition of

community engagement tie to mining

permit setting local employment quoting

procurement target community funds and

ensuring THAT MINING GO BACK INTO THE

community in a tangible way. BUT LET ME

SAY THIS MR. Speaker I want to get

quickly to the issue of our public

servants BECAUSE YOU KNOW THE POINT OF

THE ISSUE is Hallelujah.

>> Epste. Epste epine. Listen. Listen.

Epste.

>> There's some who would make him look

like child play. No pun intended. No pun

intended.

>> And let me say this. No pun intended.

Epstein. Listen carefully.

LET'S SAY IT TOGETHER.

LET'S SAY IT TOGETHER. There are some

would make him look like child play. But

let me say this further, Mr. Speaker,

>> no pun intended.

>> LET ME SAY THIS. WHAT ABOUT TAKING

TAXPAYERS money without their permission

to ensure that they acquire land, erect

buildings in parts of Guyana without the

intent of giving the proper property

back to these people. That is also what

we call taking without permission. The

resources are not there for their

personal taking. It's not for your

personal taking is for the benefit of

the GY people. But several examples of

this behavior are on display. Yet the

minister have the tarity to come and

tell this house that the government of

which he's a part of is fighting

corruption.

He is saying that anti-corruption is in

his his budget speech. Now we must ask

the evidence exists that the police are

already shooting children who they see

taken without permission. We got people

who corruption allegations have been

leveled to. The minister said they're an

anti-corruption unit being put in place

soon. The

>> third time you use corruption would not

be permitted.

So I'll strike that one.

>> I was responding to the anti-corrupt

>> I withdraw that Mr. Speaker

>> so guided to the anti-corruption

mentioned in the budget

>> the truth Mr. Speaker that putting

people first Mr. Speaker, a people's

center budget would share the extraction

benefit, respect constitutional

participation, strengthen institution,

deliver justice, and transform those

regions where extraction, including

region 10, is dominant. Budget 2026 does

none of that. Instead, it prioritize

family prioritizes family, friends, and

favorites while leaving 58% of the

population in poverty to live on $1,200

a day and 38% in extreme poverty to live

on $650 a day. Again, Mr. Speaker, this

is not dignity. Neither is it considered

progress. It definitely is not a budget

for the people. It is a budget for

power. That is why it must be opposed in

its current form firmly and without

apology. So in conclusion, Mr. Speaker,

not until the potholes become anos a

hospital bill and blackouts become a

silent ICU, bridges trembles and budget

speech echo are too late. Not until bad

decisions come knocking on kitchen

doors. And not until it comes sitting

sipping a cup of tea. Not until the

investment failures turn into lost jobs

and lost time, lost breath. Not until

people realize in this country that

policies are not paper number. They're

neutral. They meant to serve the people.

And only then will they see that danger

is not coming. It is already here with

this so-called people center putting

people first budget. We are not divided

by parties in this country. We're united

by the consequences that this government

and its reckless actions have before us.

We do not confront these choices now, we

will be in a situation where we will

fight for our survival in this country.

>> That is the reality of budget 2026. All

those fancy numbers cannot align with

the policies when you're saying that

institutions will investigate who is

investigating the sue claim who is

investigating the many murders who is

dealing with the justice for Jamal Jones

in Lynden. Who is dealing with the

justice for Keon Fraud in Lynden? those

independent institutions you speak of

will not be independent to function

unless they deliver justice to the GY

people. THAT IS THE FACT OF the matter,

Mr. Speaker. So, I want this government

to know that putting people first means

more than ensuring we got fancy numbers.

It is ensuring that people benefit, not

family, friends and favorites, not those

who we feel close to the power to ensure

that they are given contracts. And I can

ask the honorable minister Edel. He

knows what is happening. Lynon, I am not

the one who said it. Ask the many

supporters of the government who took to

social media live in THEIR OWN WORDS to

denounce the minister and his behavior

in Lyndon. NOT ME. NOT ME. THEY WERE

LILESS. I AIN'T GOING TO CALL their name

because I respect their decision.

Because they were correct. They were

making a judgment not only on him but

the entire government because they would

know better as they say he who feels it

knows it. And they felt it more than

anyone else. So the minister can smile

but the minister knew exactly what they

meant with those many allegations. But

let me say this to this house, Mr.

Speaker.

Let me say this. As I conclude,

>> too hard.

>> As I conclude, so somebody ask, somebody

ask somebody as a ring.

>> As I conclude, I can show a new ring. I

hope somebody don't show me a old worn

out ring.

>> Honorable member, you have to conclude.

You're now 3 minutes over.

So let me thank this house for

accommodating this presentation and to

say that putting people first requires

more than fancy number and loud mouth.

It requires the work that was done for

example we saw with the APNU in the gold

sector to raise it from those missed

targets to over 700,000 ounces. Thank

you very much Mr. Speaker.

Thank you.

>> Honorable member, Mr. Solomon.

>> And now for the honorable minister of

natural resources, the honorable Vicram

Par.

>> Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker,

>> on the 4th of September

2025,

>> the people of this country came out in

their large numbers and they voted

solidly for the People's Progressive

Party Civics for a second term in

government,

thereby renewing our mandate for another

5 years. Mr. Mr. Speaker, that was based

on trust. It was based on a solid track

record of development. It was based on

deliverables. And most importantly, it

was based on a manifesto with

commitments.

Commitments that budget 2026 is already

geared towards ensuring that we fulfill

as a government within the next 5 years.

in office. Mr. Speaker, and on that

note, I wish to commend the senior

minister in the office of the president

with responsibility for finance, the

director of budget and the hardworking

team at the ministry of finance for

putting this 2026 budget together. Mr.

Speaker Ford, I wish to commend and

thank my own team from the Ministry of

Natural Resources and its agencies for

their support, their hard work and their

commitment to the extractive sectors,

especially with regards to transparency

and accountability.

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that our

country is moving forward. There is no

doubt that Guyana is a hot spot globally

for investment. There is no doubt that

Guyana is certainly one of the fastest

growing economy in the world. And that

is not by mistake, Mr. Speaker. It is

not because of the passage of time, but

it is because of sound visionary

leadership from his excellency Dr.

Muhammad Ernali, the president of our

country. Mr. Speaker, it is because of

good policies and programs designed to

ensure that we put our GY brothers and

sisters first and foremost. It is

policies and programs that are designed

to enrich our people and to continue on

the road of prosperity that has started

in 2020. Mr. speaker and if we look at a

few indicators

a few indicators that we see every

single day that speaks to the

development in our country and what s

one such indicator Mr. Speaker is our

housing program which we are proud of as

the people's progressive party civic

government and it was mentioned earlier

Mr. Speaker, the People's Progressive

Party Civic Government has delivered

over 50,000 house slots in 5 years. That

is our track record. And that is why on

the 4th of September 2020, the people of

this country placed us for another 5

years in government to 2025 continue our

progressive agenda to ensure that we

fulfill the commitments in our

manifesto. Mr. Speaker, today our young

people instead of looking for an avenue

out of Guyana in search of a better

life, rather they are the ministry of

housing looking for a house lot so that

they can settle and work and develop

their own country.

Mr. Speaker, another indicator with

regards to the development that is

taking place in our country and my dear

friend the honorable Solomon will tell

you that 5 years ago it will probably

took him 1 hour and a half to get from

here to Lyndon and he will tell you now

to get home it will probably take him 4

hours mainly because of the construction

work that is ongoing on the Eastbank

Highway and the Lynen highway mainly

because of the amount of vehicles that

is in our country today. All of us

complain on a daily basis OF THE TRAFFIC

JAM. But look at the silver lining in

that. The silver lining in that is that

the ordinary Ghes can own their own

motor vehicle. The young people in this

country can own their own motor vehicle.

That is progress. THAT IS AN INDICATION

that our country is growing and growing

at a rapid pace. Mr. Speaker,

>> imagine imagine it took us almost 18

months in the past to complete one

series that is 9,999

vehicles.

Only recently it took us, Mr. Speaker,

three months. Three months to register

9,999

motor vehicles IN THIS COUNTRY. THE gy

ordinary gy families. Mr. Speaker, that

is progress. THAT IS THE TRACK RECORD

THAT WE speak on. That is the track

record that the people of this country

has trusted us on. Mr. Speaker, another

indicator that points to development.

Another indicator, Mr. Speaker, that

points to development in our country.

And it is sad that my good friend, the

honorable Natasha

had to come to the National Assembly to

report that there is a house in

Bushlock, West Coast, Borbies with 35

adults and 15 children. at a time in our

country when there's great shortage of

labor. There is shortage of labor in

almost every single sector in this

country.

And in Lynon, the mining town where

Bosai is investing heavily in the

extraction and production of boxite,

they cannot find workers in Lynden. Mr.

Speaker, YOU ASK ANY CONTRACTOR, they

cannot find workers. You ask any farmer,

they cannot find workers because of the

amount of employment that was created in

this country over the last 5 years. And

Mr. Speaker, I wish to speak on one

final indicator

towards the development of our country

and that is migration versus

immigration. There was a time when GY

was running away. They were running away

from this country in search of a better

life. They were running away from Guyana

in search of a better life because they

lost hope in the government OF THE DAY

AT THAT TIME because they lost hope in

their own country because they didn't

see a good life in their own country.

They were running away from this

country. Today our young people are

dreaming.

Today our young people see a future in

this country. Today our young people are

applying for house lots, gold

scholarship, going to the University of

Guyana, seeking a job, building a

career, and living right here in our

country. Mr. speaker and I deem that as

probably the greatest achievement of the

people's progressive party civic in

government the restoration of hope in

our people because many of you would

recall that it was a time when people

lost hope in this country and for the

young people who are here and who are

listening sometimes we ask ourselves why

are there so many gy outside of Guyana.

And we jokingly say sometimes that there

are more gy outside of Guyana THAN IN

GUYANA. WHY? Because they lost hope

during the PNC dark dictatorship days.

Because they fled this country in search

of a better life. And we, the People's

Progressive Party, Civic, restore that

hope in our young people so that they

can dream again and they can stay here

and develop this country. our beautiful

country. Mr. Speaker,

I know a lot have been mentioned about

the

mining sector. But before I go to the

mining sector,

I wish to speak on the oil and gas

sector of which I have responsibility.

>> Mr. Mr. Speaker, I've heard from

I think is the shadow minister of

natural resources for wind and then I

read in an article that honorable member

Solomon is also a shadow minister too.

>> So that is THE CONFUSION IN THE

OPPOSITION MR. SPEAKER.

>> That is the confusion regardless

regardless Mr. Speaker,

>> regardless of who shadow and who is

shadowing and who is a shadow,

>> both of them spoke

and they dare not spoke of the oil and

gas sector such an important sector in

our country and oil and gas has

propelled the development in our

country. Oil and gases act as an

catalyst for the development in our

country. Oil and gas has actually helped

to expand the other productive sectors

in our country like tourism like

manufacturing like construction oil and

gas has been the catalyst for that and

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker before I speak before I

speak on the production aspect I want to

speak on the transparency act aspect of

managing the oil and gas sector. But let

me say in this house, Mr. Speaker, that

Guyana's oil and gas sector, and as

patriots, we should be proud of this.

Guyana's oil and gas sector is regarded

as one of the best managed oil and gas

sector in the world among NEW OIL

PRODUCING COUNTRIES. AND THAT IS A FACT,

MR. SPEAKER. EVERY SINGLE new oil

producing country is looking at Guyana

as an example when they're drafting

their framework to manage the oil and

gas sector. Presently, Gayan is

assisting a few of THOSE COUNTRIES TO

DRAFT THEIR local content legislation

and to put system in place to manage the

sector efficiently. And Mr. pick a a an

indicator as to how well or whether an

oil and gas sector is managed properly.

You can look around in your country and

you can be able

for yourself to judge whether the

benefits are flowing to our people.

>> And I would have highlighted a number of

indicators which points to massive

development in our country and that

speaks to the management of the oil and

gas sector. Mr. Speaker, the same very

gentleman, the honorable member Terren

CAMPBELL WAS PART WAS PART OF the

natural RESOURCE FUND BOARD. HE WAS PART

OF IT. SO HE VERY well knows he very

well knows OF THE STRICT TRANSPARENCY

AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES THAT ARE IN

PLACE TO MONI MONITOR OIL FUNDS. AND MR.

MR. SPEAKER, that is something that we

are very proud of. That's right.

>> BECAUSE ONE YEAR AFTER taking

government, one year after taking

government, on December 28th,

2021 in this house, we passed the new

natural resource fund bill.

>> They broke the

>> even though the mace

>> disappeared from the house.

ON THAT FATEFUL NIGHT, ON THAT fateful

night, this very important bill was

passed in this national assembly.

>> And why is this bill so important, MR.

SPEAKER? BECAUSE THERE are many oil and

gas producing countries in the world

THAT TOOK 20 YEARS TO PUT A sovereign

wealth fund in place. That took 10 years

to put a sovereign wealth fund in place.

And many of times we like to look at

Norway as a model oil and gas country.

Norway took over 20 years to put a

sovereign wealth fund in place. We did

so, Mr. Speaker, after one year in

government.

After one year in government, WE HAD A

PROPER NATURAL RESOURCES FUND ACT IN

PLACE ENSURING THAT THE FINANCE MINISTER

IS NOT THE ONE WHO DICTATES HOW FUND

SHOULD FLOW OUT OF that natural

resources fund. But the only way funds

can flow from that natural resources

FUND IS THAT THERE MUST BE approval from

the national assembly all of us here.

And that IS WHERE THE OVERSIGHT comes

from. And that is why it is so important

that we place that clause into that

bill. Mr. Speaker, the finance minister,

even though he's SO EXCITED HERE, HE CAN

BE JAILED FOR 10 YEARS if he doesn't

come to the parliament and declare the

revenue that flows into the natural

resources fund.

>> 10 year and hardly ever. Look at THE

MONEY.

>> HE'S VERY BRILLIANT BUT SMALL IN SIZE.

CAN YOU IMAGINE 10 YEARS OF HARD LABOR

FOR MY COMRADE? AND THAT IS WHERE we

place accountability.

We place accountability on the front

RUNNER NOW.

>> MR. SPEAKER, NOW THERE'S A PRESCRIBED

FORMULA. A PRESCRIBED FORMULA THAT IN

EVERY BUDGET WE CAN ANNOUNCE HOW much is

IN THE NATURAL RESOURCES FUND, HOW MUCH

WILL FLOW INTO THE BUDGET, HOW MUCH WILL

REMAIN at the ENDING OF THE DECEMBER

2026. WE have already declared that. The

Minister of Finance did that during his

presentation. It is as clear as day

like, Mr. Speaker. It is as clear as day

like, Mr. Speaker.

Any individual, Gion or not, could go

online and you can look at THE GAZETTE

WHERE WE gazette the oil revenue that

flows into the natural resource fund AND

YOU CAN ADD DOWN and you will know how

much we receive in a given year. That is

transparency. That is accountability.

That is how you manage an oil and gas

sector. Mr. Speaker, Florida

Guyana recently submitted.

>> It's 2023

EITI report.

>> It's 2023

EITI report and we are already working,

Mr. speaker to complete a 2024

annual report to be submitted on time.

But most importantly, Mr. Speaker, this

year is when we will do our second

validation report. And it is

unfortunate, it is unfortunate that the

last validation exercise under the APNU

AFC era, Guyana only score 53 points. No

surprise. kept the three points for

transparency and accountability by the

international body.

Mr. Speaker,

Mr. Speaker continuing

we have endeavored as a government that

we are going to ensure that we publish

all production license issue that we are

going to publish all environmental

permit and you go online and you will

find those license you will find those

formits online today. That is

transparency and accountability. And

unfortunately, my friend, the honorable

Solomon left the house. BUT I WISH TO

SAY TO HIM, do your homework, my

comrade. You are IN THE BIG LEAGUE NOW.

YOU ARE NOT A mayor anymore. YOU ARE A

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT. AND TO COME HERE

AND TO SAY THAT THE MINING CONTRACTS ARE

HIDDEN IS FALSE, is misleading, Mr.

difficult because the finance minister

can attest that on HIS WEBSITE WE HAVE

PLACED THE CONTRACTS THAT WAS signed

with all large scale mining company and

it was announced on a press conference

by the honorable vice president of this

country Dr. Barrett Jacko

>> Mr. Speaker moving on a transparency

>> unfortunately

>> my friend the SHADOW ONE of the shadow

ministers of natural resources. The last

time we had three now apparently we had

we have three again with Terren throwing

his hat in the ring. But Mr. Speaker,

>> unfortunately

the gentleman

was battling in his head. He had a

battle in his head and that battle was

between his conscience, between his

party's position and between what AI

generated for him BECAUSE HE SOUNDS SO

CONFUSED, MR. SPEAKER.

>> And then today I see when questions

transparency and accountability in the

oil and gas sector, we question

production. But Mr. Speaker, may I be

the gentleman does know that on every

FPSO offshore Guyana, and we have four

now,

>> soon we will have five on every FPSO

offshore Guyana. We have a

representative from the Ministry of

Natural Resources on a full-time basis.

We have a representative from the

Environmental Protection Agency. We have

a representative from the Guana National

Brewer and Standards. We have a

representative from the GR, the Ghana

Revenue Authority, overlooking our

interests.

>> Overlooking our interests and the only

time

>> the only time there can be an offtake OF

CRUDE FROM THAT FPSO inter tanker is if

these individuals are present there. No

off can be done with GRA or GNBS or EPA

or the Ministry of Natural Resources

representative. That is transparency and

accountability. That is a government

working for its people to ensure that is

greater oversight over such an important

sector that is propelling our economy

and bringing the global spotlight upon

us. Mr. Speaker,

production today production today is

over 900,000 barrels per day. This is

unprecedented in the oil and gas

history. Mr. Speaker, it is

unprecedented to move from discovery in

May of 2015

to 920,000

barrels per day, 10 years after, just

over 10 years after. That is never heard

of.

Our success rate, Mr. Speaker, at

exploration well in deep water is over

80% or unheard of in the oil and gas

sector. And this is through prudent

management, Mr. Speaker.

>> This is through the manage good

management and of course visionary

leadership.

>> And I wish to speak on that, Mr.

Because there are many countries in this

world with oil and gas.

There are many countries where oil has

been a course to some some of those

countries while it has been a blessing

to others like Guyana. And we don't have

TO LOOK TOO FAR. Our neighbor next door

that is claiming twothirds of our land.

That very country holds 300 billion

barrels of oil compared to Guyana's 11

billion barrels of oil signing bonus.

>> 300 billion compared to 11 billion. And

Mr. Speaker, the country with 11 billion

barrels of oil is one of the fastest

growing economy in the world.

>> Correct.

>> That's correct.

>> That is what you call leadership. And

that is the leadership that we are

receiving from his excellency president

Ali and Vice President Baragio who have

overall responsibility for the oil and

gas sector. It calls a good leadership

and that is what we have and that is

what we promised the people of this

country.

>> Mr. Speaker, only recently we signed new

two new

agreements with oil companies around the

world. And Mr. Speaker, these two new

agreements have earned our country $32

million US in signing bonus only

$32 million US

which for only two blocks and which has

already been deposited into the natural

resources fund.

>> MR. SPEAKER, I'M SURE THE COUNTRY CAN

REMEMBER. THE COUNTRY CAN REMEMBER when

the AP and UFC received 18 million sign

in bonus and hid it from the people of

this country for over a year.

>> For over a year, Mr. Speaker,

>> I was I was fortunate to be in the

parliament

forum. I was I was in the parliament

when the question was asked of that

particular finance minister and his

answer to the people of this country was

that he thought it was a gift. He

thought that IT WAS A GIFT.

>> AND THEN ANOTHER MINISTER OF THAT

GOVERNMENT SAID THE MONEY IS TUCKED AWAY

SAFELY TO FIGHT OFF Venezuela in the

NATIONAL COURT ONE AND A HALF YEAR AFTER

MR. SPEAKER. AND JUST TO DRAW A

COMPARISON,

just to draw a comparison, the APNU AFC

government at that time, Mr. Speaker,

accepted a 18 million signing bonus for

a block that is over 26,000 square

kilmters.

>> When we would have earned 32 million

signing bonus for two blocks less than

4,000 square kilm. That is management.

and

>> that IS PUTTING THE PEOPLE FIRST

>> that is looking OUT FOR THE INTERESTS OF

OUR PEOPLE

>> ON THAT SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

>> MR. Speaker said it was a gift.

>> It was a gift

as a gift.

>> Mr. Speaker while party

>> while we have been managing production

and exploration

and we will continue to encourage

exploration in a safe environmentally

friendly way because it brings

opportunity to our people and we have

seen that through the establishment of

the local content secretariat in January

of 2022 after the passage of the bill

here in December of 2021. We have seen

the almost flawless of the

implementation of the local content

legislation in this country where today

we have over 1200 GY businesses register

with the local content secretariat and

are providing goods and services to the

oil companies IN THIS COUNTRY. WITHOUT

THAT LEGISLATION, MR. SPEAKER, we as GE

would have been bystanders. We would

have been spectators in our own country.

>> And when we were doing consultation for

that bill, Mr. Speaker, MANY OF THEM,

MANY OF THE CRITICS SAID THAT

LEGISLATION would kill the oil and gas

sector. And we said we are going to

forge ahead because GY must benefit from

the oil and gas sector. And we are

seeing the results today. Over $2

billion US over $2 billion US already

brought into our economy because of that

simple piece of legislation that we

enacted

the treaty of Shangaras too

>> and the WTO. I can remember those

arguments.

>> I can remember those arguments by the

opposition on that faith I said faithful

night of the 28th of December 2021.

faithful because we almost lost this

mace.

>> We almost lost the mace on that night.

Mr. Speaker, while while we have been

ensuring that we monitor the sector, we

have been already we have also been

building billing out the legislative

framework to manage the sector in

efficient and environmentally friendly

way with the passage of the Petroleum

Activities Act, a modern piece of

legislation. to manage an oil and gas

sector replacing a 1986

exploration and production act.

Mr. Speaker, only recently in this

assembly we would have passed the oil

spill prevention bill which is very

critical for every single oil producing

country in the world. if you're serious

about your environment because in our

with our policies and programs

especially in the natural resources

sector while we encourage exploration

and production we are also mindful that

the environment must be protected that

every single possible ways in which we

can use to protect our environment that

we do so that it is low impact mining

that in the oil and gas sector we have a

capping stock in place in Guyana. One of

the VERY FEW CAPPING STACK in the world

and we have it in our country here in

Guyana. So if in the event God forbid

there's a blowout, we can deploy that

rather than to wait for one from Texas

or elsewhere. We have it in Guyana. Mr.

difficult. We ensure that we have an oil

spill bill in place where it shows clear

liabilities

with regards to cleanup and compensation

and restoration of marine environment.

That is all spelled out. Mr. Speaker,

Mr. Speaker, I wish now to turn my

attention to the mining sector and we

have heard a lot about the mining

sector.

>> Agriculture.

And

>> Mr. Speaker, I've been in this national

assembly since October 2016

and I have never heard SO MUCH EMPHASIS

AND SO MUCH EXCITEMENT OVER THE GOLD

SECTOR like 2026.

And I WONDER WHY THERE IS SO MUCH

EXCITEMENT OF THE gold sector. I wonder

why there is so much excitement and

commence over the gold sector today.

MAYBE IT IS BECAUSE the honorable

opposition leaders as Muhammed and we

know the history to that. Maybe it's

because the gold price is high or

probably it is BECAUSE OF THE PRUDENT

MANAGEMENT OF THE SECTOR THAT TODAY

people see that the real opportunities

in the gold sector and a number of

people are now going back into the

sector or they're gravitating towards

the gold sector but because there is

great opportunity for gy miners

especially in the gold sector. Mr.

Speaker,

since we took office since we took

office in 2020 to date, over 1,000 small

G miners have benefited from the access

to land and the accessibility to the

land through the expenditure of over 10

billion Ghana dollars on hintterland

infrastructure to ensure that our

roadways are safe. And Mr. Speak again.

I say to my honorable friend Solomon,

you really need to do your homework.

This is the big league. This is the

National Assembly. This is not the Tom

Council in Lynon. You don't come here

and then boast about PRODUCTION FIGURES

INCREASING MASSIVELY IN 2016 and 2017.

It is as a result of the work done by

the people's progressive party se

government between 2010 to 2015. It is

because in those years THE TWO LARGE

SCALE COMPANY THAT were doing

exploration under our government that

were building the mine under our

government. IT WAS IN 2016 THAT THEY

STARTED PRODUCTION. CORRECT? SO WHAT YOU

DID IS JUST TO REAP THE FRUITS OF OUR

LABOR

AND YOUR BOSS THINK TODAY THAT it

happened under the AP AND UFC. YES. BUT

THE FOUNDATION WAS LED BECAUSE IF YOU

UNDERSTAND how the mining sector works,

especially the large scale mining

sector, you would realize that it takes

year to build a large scale mine. and

the Guyana Gold Fields, Aurora Gold Mine

and Troy Resources STARTED TO PRODUCE IN

2016 AND CONTINUE PRODUCTION ALL THE WAY

UP TO CO when Troy resources closed and

production went down because of the

impact of COVID on most of the

operations in the interland. Today, Mr.

Speaker, we have seen a resurrection of

the gold mining sector. We have seen a

transformation of the gold mining sector

and it IS SAD AND UNFORTUNATE THAT THE

honorable Mr. Lewis will come to the

parliament and speak about enforcement

compliance. What is wrong with

enforcement and compliance? It is sad

when we have opposition in this country,

MR. SPEAKER THAT WILL COME TO THE

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND CONDEMN COMPLIANCE

AND ENFORCEMENT THAT ENCOURAGE

ILLEGALITY JUST TO GAIN CHIEF political

points. That is a sad day for Guyana,

Mr. Speaker. It's a sad day for Guyana

where we'll have opposition members

coming here and bashing the enforcement

the compliance by the Ghana Geology and

Minds Commission. And he's so confused,

MR. ICAL BECAUSE IN ONE BREATH HE'S

BASHING THE COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT

AND IN ANOTHER BREATH HE'S saying we

need border controls stronger border

controls because we don't want the the

the goal to be diverted I think that was

his word he used because he was staying

away from you know the swword he didn't

want to use the sword and I wouldn't use

Mr. speaker because I know smuggling is

unparliamentary.

So he was USING THE WORD DIVERTED.

THEY'RE DIVERTING THE THE GOAL ACROSS

THE BORDER.

Let me divert your attention to an

extension.

>> Mr. Speaker, the honorable member, I ask

that he be given five more minutes to

conclude his presentation.

>> Thank you, honorable member. You may

proceed to conclude. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. Thank you, Madame Chief. Mr.

Speaker,

>> is not on.

>> Let me move on quickly.

>> Let me move on quick. Not here.

>> Let me move on, Mr. Speaker, to boxite.

>> It was mentioned again. It was mentioned

again by the honorable member that we

have to ensure that we look out for our

people. We always look out for our

people, Mr. Speaker. THAT IS WHY WE KEPT

THE BITE MINE IN LYNEN GOING. THAT IS

WHY WE KEPT IT OPEN SO THAT it can

create economic opportunities in the

mining town of London and create jobs

for THE PEOPLE THERE. AND YOUR

GOVERNMENT CHASED AWAY ROUSUL and

500 PERSONS UNFORTUNATELY 500 persons

mostly from the Barbies River Kuwani and

in New Amsterdam lost their jobs because

of your poor actions.

>> And today Mr. Speaker,

>> today Mr. Speaker, we have entered into

an agreement with that COMPANY TO COME

BACK INTO THE BARBIES RIVER AREA AND to

restart that operation, thereby creating

jobs for people in the Barbies River

area.

Mr. Speaker, if I may quickly move to

the forestry sector,

>> Mr. speaker to SAY SMUGGLING.

>> THE FORESTRY SECTOR as we know it in

2020 was bankrupt. Production was at

all-time low at 345,000

cubic annually. We would have increased

that in 2025 by over 150,000 cubic. Mr.

Speaker,

>> today

Mr. Speaker, Gan is a leader in this

world when it comes to forest and forest

management. TODAY WE CAN BOAST THAT WE

HAVE ONE OF THE lowest deforestation

rate in the world. Today we can boast,

Mr. Speaker. We can boast, Mr. Speaker,

that Guyana is one of the greenest

country on earth. We can boast that we

have one of the best forest management

system in the world. We can boast that

even in our own commitments in the low

carbon development strategy that our

deforestation rate is way below that. We

can boss that we are one of the only

country in the world that would have

signed a jurisdictional

carbon credit deal. We can boss is one

of the only country in the world that

have earned revenue for legacy credits.

>> That's right.

>> We can boss only COUNTRY IN THE WORLD

THAT TODAY WE ARE CERTIFIED TO SELL

CREDITS TO THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY.

>> That's correct.

>> And that is because of the prudent

management of this sector. Mr. speaker

as we throw away the rubbish green state

development

>> and we want to assure our indigenous

brothers and sisters that you will

continue to receive the revenue from the

sale of carbon credit FOR THE NEXT 7

YEARS BECAUSE IT IS A 10-YEAR deal that

we have with S corporation.

>> So, Mr. Speaker,

I wish to commend budget 2026

>> as a masterpiece

>> as a masterpiece

to ensuring that benefits flow to our

people. And that is why the team was

CAREFULLY CRAFTED. Putting people force.

That's right.

>> Putting people force. And if we build a

highway like the London highway, it is

benefiting people.

If we continue the highway, it is

benefiting people. So you may want to

criticize the budget AS AN

INFRASTRUCTURE BUDGET AND TO PARROT

SENTIMENTS from the past, but it

benefits people. When we give a 100,000

CASH GRANT, MR. SPEAKER, THAT IS PUTTING

PEOPLE FORCE when we pay our children

SCHOOL FEES, CXC FEES, THAT IS PUTTING

PEOPLE FORCE. When we give our children

THE BECAUSE WE CARE CASH GRANT OF

$85,000 THAT IS PUTTING PEOPLE FOREST.

When we removed THE TORN FROM THE BORBIS

RIVER BRIDGE AND THE WHISPER RIVER

BRIDGE AND THE BAR JACK RIVER BRIDGE

THAT IS PUTTING PEOPLE FORCE

WHEN WE CREATED EMPLOYMENT ACROSS ALL

THE SECTORS THAT IS PUTTING PEOPLE FORCE

when we distributed over 50,000 house

that is putting people force when we

ensure the UNIVERSITY OF GAN IS FREE

THAT IS PUTTING PEOPLE FORCE WHEN WE

ENSURE THAT EVERY CHILD EVERY PERSON

THAT APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP WILL GET A

SCHOLARSHIP. THAT IS PUTTING PEOPLE

BEFORE US. MRS. Pickup when we take Juty

OFF OF ATVS THAT IS PUTTING PEOPLE force

when we remove WHEN WE CHOOSE JY FROM

FOUR-DOOR PICKUPS THAT IS PUTTING PEOPLE

FORCE WHEN WE REMOVE BUT OFF OF WOOD

PRODUCTS THAT IS PUTTING PEOPLE BEFORE

US. MR. SPEAKER, THAT IS CREATING

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR PEOPLE.

THAT IS ENSURING THAT OUR IN INDUSTRY

are regionally and internationally

COMPETITIVE

>> THAT is creating opportunities IN THE

VALUE ADDED SECTOR MR. SPEAKER AND THAT

IS THE direction in which we are heading

as a country so Mr. Speaker

>> Mr. Speaker, I wish to conclude by

saying I TRULY I TRULY COMMEND THIS

BUDGET BUDGET 2026

PUTTING PEOPLE FORCE FOR THE UNANIMOUS

passage through this national assembly.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much honorable member

>> Mr. Prett

before I take the next

contributor two announcements

today. The honorable member Mr. James

Bond

is celebrating his birthday.

Congratulations Mr. Bond on behalf of

all of us in the National Assembly.

And secondly,

we are going to continue to conclusion.

There are some refreshments

um that just arrived. So you can as we

continue to complete the list of

speakers during this session, you can

migrate downstairs and return to the

assembly.

>> Mr. James,

>> honorable member, Mr. Riaz Rupner

for your

>> presentation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

>> Mr. Speaker, before I address the

honorable house on the 2026 budget,

I seek your indulgence to underscore the

importance of today's delivery as my

maiden speech to this noble assembly. I

am the second person to come from Jaklo

Pomman River

since 1977

as an elected member of the National

Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, the journey reminds me of

two enduring truths. First, what God has

ordained for you will only come, it is

destined to happen.

>> And secondly, Mandela describes it

better. Education is the greatest weapon

you can use to change the world. And Mr.

Speaker, I must express gratitude to the

persons who placed their confidence and

votes and made my presence in this

honorable house possible. To the APNU

supporters and more particularly to the

leader and comrades of the people's

national congress reform. I have been

elected by a few but to represent all

>> from Pomeroon to Parliament.

Mr. Speaker, it is precisely because of

that responsibility to all GE that I now

turn to the matter before the House, the

2026 budget.

>> A budget is not merely a financial

document. It is statement of priorities.

>> I give acknowledgement to the to the

honorable member. My mother taught me to

always show respect to the elderly and

those who are especially need.

This budget of $1.558

trillion is the largest in the nation's

history. Now, we would have wanted real

transformation beyond infrastructure,

bringing relief to workingclass people

of this country and represent fairness

as it looks to put people first.

Unfortunately, majority of it does not.

Mr. Speaker, what we're seeing is a

budget heavily weighted in

infrastructure with far less attention

to poverty reduction, reducing the cost

of living, improving the lives of

working class and vulnerable groups. Mr.

Speaker, let me be pollucid.

The budget will be spent on the people.

It is a G budget. It is the largest in

our history. So then monies will be

injected into the economy. But my

argument lies in who will be reaping the

majority of the benefit. Is it those

that need it or is it those that want

it? Mr. Speaker, it is not about

aggregate figures but the impact it will

directly have on the individual and the

family on every individual as the

honorable members of the opposite side

would have indicated.

And before I proceed, I must share a

WhatsApp message that I received before

coming to the podium from a member of

the regional democratic council of Anna

Regina, a non-suporter of the

opposition, mind you, stating, "Please

try and back up. Let me get more than

$2500 salary increase by not even salary

worker like me fed up."

It is to highlight that everybody

stating that each individual will

benefit. Mr. Speaker, during the course

of yesterday and early today, the

government members parliament members of

parliament indicated that the budget is

the best for all groups of all people.

But coincidentally when everyone

approached the podium they kept

repeating a few pension benefits, a few

social benefits repeatedly like a broken

record is the same program that has

received additional funding. That is why

they have limited resource or limited

statement to add for something new. Mr.

Speaker, the increase in the income tax

threshold removes just over 5,000 person

from the tax register. 5,000 person out

of a national labor force which requires

more than over 90% still remain on that

taxation system. Now, this translates to

$2500,