Member of Parliament of the WIN party, Natasha Singh, believes that social services in Guyana are in a “dire” state and there is not enough in this year’s budget to address the problem.

Citing the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) 2025 Report, MP Singh said approximately 58 per cent of Guyana’s population continues to live in poverty, adding that the situation is compounded by a public services sector that is in a bad state.

Pointing the House’s attention to the Palms Geriatric Home, MP Singh said a 78-year-old pensioner, David Trahaine also known as Perkins died after falling through the floor of the facility because the necessary repairs were not carried.

“Mr. Speaker, the same Minister is at the same Ministry for five years and a simple thing as fixing the flooring of the facilities she could not get done. A poor pensioner died as a result,” MP Singh said.

She said the Human Services Minister must take responsibility for the death of the pensioner.

On the issue of pensioners, MP Singh said included in the Budget is a $5000 increase on the Old Age Pension, which is not enough.

“Mr. Speaker that works out to 160.00 a day increase per pensioner Mr. Speaker in this oil producing nation $160 can’t buy a pack of tennis roll… not even a small drink. Mr. Speaker the tennis roll is $400 a bag and the small drink is $260. Mr. Speaker, I looked around in the market to see what a pensioner can buy with $160 and I found a pack of dixie biscuit for $160.00 Shame on this government ……the PPP putting people first is a travesty,” MP Singh said as she held a pack of Dixie up for all to see.  

She said while the Budget provides for Special Development Zones, it ignores the disaster zones in depressed communities where families are living in abject poverty and are struggling to make ends meet every day.

“I am pleading with the Ministers to visit the Parika Facade, the community right in Georgetown behind the Chinese Embassy, visit the Port Kaituma waterfront, and Kumaka Landing in Mabaruma see the children in the evening sleeping on the road front because they have nowhere to go.  What about the care facilities for the Amerindians? Don’t they deserve an opportunity to take their children to a safe place and go to work?” she urged.

MP Singh also spoke of the need to have more programmes in place to address domestic violence, violence against women and girl, and financial support for women and children leaving abusive homes.

But in pushing back against the criticism, the Human Services Minister, Dr. Vindya Persaud told the House that the Budget is “a living, people centered blue print,” that would improve the lives of Guyanese.

Describing statements by MP Singh as “fallacious,” Minister Persaud said she will provide the House with a report on the demise of pensioner who was a resident at the Psalms.

“It was unfortunate but that resident passed away from cancer. Mr. Speaker, I am going to provide that report to you because people should not come here, misinform the public and then leave this assembly. What are we really doing here,” Minister Persaud said.

She said contrary to the arguments put forward by her colleague on the opposite side of the House, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has always responded to the needs of the Guyanese people, particularly those in need.

“If you look at the $78.3 Billion Budget that has been allocated to this ministry, $70 Billion of that is going directly into the hands of the beneficiaries across the length and breadth of Guyana – $70 Billion – the recipients of public assistance, permanent disability and senior citizens. Mr. Speaker we have seen the increase in the number of beneficiaries since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government took office. Look back at your record, it was dismal,” the Human Services Minister said.

Government, she said, remains committed to the promise of increasing Old Age Pension to $60,000 over a period of five years. The Old Age Pension has been increased to $46,000 with the addition of a transportation grant of $20,000 per year.

It was noted that through the Ministry of Human Services, women are being trained under the Women Innovation Investment Network (WIIN) Progrmme. She said already 21,000 women from across the 10 regions have been empowered in various fields.

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