Opposition Chief Whip Sarabo-Halley Slams Budget 2026
By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Opposition Chief Whip and “We Invest In Nationhood” (WIN) MP, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, has delivered a stinging rebuke of the $1.558 trillion 2026 National Budget. During her presentation in the National Assembly, Sarabo-Halley argued that the administration’s fiscal policies are designed not to lift citizens out of financial hardship, but to “manage and preserve” poverty for political leverage.
The Chief Whip contended that the budget lacks the structural changes necessary for genuine economic mobility, focusing instead on “selective urgency” that favors special interests over the working class.
“Selective Urgency” in Policy Implementation
Sarabo-Halley highlighted a stark contrast in how the government rolls out its various initiatives. She accused the administration of prioritizing the wealthy and politically connected through immediate tax breaks while stalling relief for the poor.
- Immediate Relief: Tax concessions for high-end items, such as double-cab vehicles, were implemented with immediate effect.
- Delayed Support: Vital cash transfers for struggling households have been “diluted” and scheduled over a five-year timeline, reducing their immediate impact on inflation-weary families.
- The Dignity Gap: Sarabo-Halley argued that for many Guyanese, earning a living with dignity remains unattainable as they are trapped in a cycle of “merely managing” to survive.
The Minimum Wage Challenge
In a moment of high tension, the Opposition Chief Whip challenged members of the government benches to live on the national minimum wage ($102,000) for a period of six months.
“I challenge ruling members to experience life on the national minimum wage,” Sarabo-Halley stated, underscoring that current financial policies make saving money impossible for the average worker.
She further criticized the marginal adjustment to the tax threshold, noting it offers only negligible increases in take-home pay that are quickly swallowed by rising food and utility costs.
“Hollow” Infrastructure: Buildings Without Services
While the government has touted its record spending on new hospitals and facilities, Sarabo-Halley described these investments as “poverty preservation” in disguise. She argued that infrastructure without adequate human capital is a burden on the taxpayer.
- Staffing Shortages: Building new hospitals is meaningless if there are no doctors or nurses to staff them.
- Hidden Costs: Citizens often face “hidden costs” when visiting these new facilities due to a lack of basic supplies and equipment, forcing them to turn to the expensive private sector.
- Resource Misalignment: The Chief Whip concluded that recurring budgets under the current administration prioritize “concrete over consciousness,” failing to provide meaningful economic progress.
