By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
Shadow Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports, Nima Flue-Bess, has delivered a scathing critique of the 2026 National Budget, accusing the government of failing to transform the country’s creative potential into a viable economic engine. Speaking in the National Assembly, the APNU Member of Parliament argued that the current fiscal plan prioritizes “bricks and mortar” over the human capital required to drive a modern “Orange Economy.”
Misalignment of Funding
Flue-Bess highlighted a significant disparity in the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports’ $3.7 billion allocation. She noted that while billions are funnelled into infrastructure and administrative costs, only a fraction is dedicated to the practitioners themselves.
- Infrastructure & Capital Projects: $2.6 billion (Buildings, equipment, and furniture)
- Administrative Expenses: $1.1 billion
- Human Resource Allocation: 5.3% (Earmarked for training and personnel)
“If the government is serious about developing the non-oil sector, culture and sports must receive more than just flowery words,” Flue-Bess asserted. She contended that the current distribution does little to benefit the local musicians, actors, and heritage workers who form the backbone of the creative economy.
Symbolic “Orange Economy” Taskforce
The Member of Parliament also took aim at the government’s newly established Orange Economy Taskforce. While the administration has lauded the taskforce as a strategic move to monetize creative talent, Flue-Bess dismissed it as “largely symbolic.”
She argued that the body lacks substantive policy and planning, leaving artists to “scramble for scraps” while the government focuses on flagship projects like the Palmyra Cultural Market and the National Art Gallery.
A Call for Strategic Investment
Flue-Bess emphasized that sectors such as theatre, fashion, festivals, and music are crucial not only for national identity but as legitimate economic pillars. She called for:
- Direct Investment in Artists: Increased funding for grants and professional development.
- Transparent Policy: A clear strategy to capitalize on cultural exports.
- Athletic Support: Shifting focus from building stadiums to providing consistent stipends and high-performance training for athletes.
“The People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) has once again failed this sector,” Flue-Bess concluded. “A budget that puts people first must invest in the people’s talents, not just the buildings they stand in.”
