HGP Nightly News – The efficacy of major public infrastructure investments and their tangible impact on remote communities formed the central theme of a presentation by We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Member of Parliament Dawn Hastings during the ongoing 2026 budget debate.
Hastings opened by questioning the fundamental return on investment from record spending. “What matters is the value for the money spent. Are the Guyanese enjoying a better living standard, especially the vulnerable ones living in the hinterland and remote communities? Are their expectations being met?” she asked the assembly.
She linked the nation’s persistent challenges to a lack of inclusive planning, suggesting that “the 58% poverty rate could have been significantly reduced if careful consideration and consultation were done with all the stakeholders, including the members of the opposition.”
A core allegation centered on procurement and contractor performance. Hastings called for a formal review, stating, “It is time the government sit to review and analyze the performance of some of these contracts or contractors that are being awarded to families, friends, and favourites, who seem to have little or no experience.”
She highlighted the delayed Chawala and Philippi Secondary Schools as evidence, noting they were budgeted for in 2025 but remain incomplete. “The children of the Upper Mazaruni continue to sit in overcrowded classrooms and overcrowded dormitories,” she said, adding, “When projects are not completed on time, it is costly and the beneficiaries are delayed the essential and necessary services.”
Her critique extended to the deteriorating state of transportation networks nationwide. “The main roads in Bartica, and right here in Georgetown are laced or decorated with many potholes,” Hastings stated. She raised a particularly grave concern regarding aviation safety, revealing, “Some of our airstrips have potholes, Mr. Speaker, which cause danger to the pilots and the passengers. I recently travelled to Kaikan… and that was the experience I had.”
Hastings reiterated the opposition’s oversight role: “Our role therefore as opposition is to ensure that public expenditure delivers measurable outcomes, especially for those Guyanese who remain geographically distant from decision-making centers, but no less entitled to the benefits of development.” She then signaled a shift to examine other critical utility failures in hinterland regions, beginning with the provision of electricity.
