By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul delivered a stinging critique of the $1.558 trillion 2026 Budget on Wednesday, accusing the government of suffering from a “developmental imbalance” that favors massive infrastructure over the urgent needs of the Guyanese workforce.
During his presentation in the National Assembly, Mahipaul, the APNU spokesperson on Local Government and Regional Development, argued that while the fiscal plan is historic in size, it remains “hollow” in its commitment to human resource development.
Size vs. Significance
Mahipaul challenged the government’s frequent touting of the budget’s record-breaking scale. He contended that the trillion-dollar figure serves as a distraction from the daily hardships faced by public servants and the vulnerable.
“This is an imbalanced budget,” Mahipaul declared. “We are told that this is a historic budget… the largest in our nation’s history. But size alone does not make a budget significant or people-centered.”
He stressed that a budget should be viewed as a tool for equity rather than just a financial record. According to Mahipaul, growth without fairness is not true progress, and the current spending trajectory ignores the “struggle to survive” experienced by many hardworking citizens.
Capital Projects and the Wealth Gap
A central theme of Mahipaul’s lecture was the perceived bias toward the private sector and large-scale contractors. He pointed out that hundreds of billions are funneled into capital projects annually, which primarily benefit developers, importers, and established businesses.
While acknowledging that infrastructure is necessary for a booming economy, he insisted that it should not come at the expense of the poor.
- The Infrastructure Focus: Massive investment in bridges, roads, and buildings.
- The Human Resource Gap: Alleged neglect of public servant wages, benefits, and social safety nets.
- The Efficiency Concern: Mahipaul highlighted frequent mismanagement and “chronic delays” in capital projects that continue to receive prioritized funding despite poor performance.
A Call for Equity
“Let me be clear: investment in all businesses is necessary,” Mahipaul stated, clarifying that the opposition does not oppose development itself. “The problem is when it is geared to benefit the rich at the expense of the poor and vulnerable.”
He concluded his presentation by calling for a “people-centered” realignment of the 2026 fiscal plan—one that matches the investment in concrete with an equal investment in the people who build and maintain the nation.
