Government seeks $57.5 Billion in supplementary budget

Three months after the Government got approval for its massive $1.3 Trillion budget, it has returned to the National Assembly seeking $57.5 Billion more in supplementary funding.

The Minister responsible for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh laid the supplementary budget paper in the National Assembly on Friday.

In a statement, the Finance Ministry indicated that the supplementary funds are being sought to support the Government’s development agenda and will cater for a number of government programme.

In the supplementary budget, $29.8 Billion more is being budgeted for the expansion of the electricity programme under the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Ministry said Government’s electricity programme under the energy sector has been addressing longstanding issues of electricity reliability, affordability, and access as well as service to new areas through the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and those in the hinterland.

Additionally $3 Billion more has been budgeted for the continuing distribution of the $100,000 cash grant for citizens, while an amount of $2.9 Billion has been allocated for the continuation of road works countrywide under the Ministry of Public Works for improved connectivity. Just over $209.1 Billion was allocated to the Public Works Ministry this year for road construction and rehablitation.

Additionally, $12 Billion has been allocated to cater for additional works under the Ministry of Housing and Water to support Government’s aggressive housing programme. $112.6 Billion was allocated and approved for the Housing Ministry in this year’s budget three months ago.