Who Gets What in 2013

Current Non-Interest Expenditure

In this section we consider how the budgeted expenditure is allocated among the principal Ministries, Departments, Regions and Programmes.

Central Government’s non-interest current expenditure (employment costs, statutory expenditure and other charges) for the year is budgeted at $112.5Bn which is 5.04% more than budget 2012. The Ministries/ Departments with the most significant allocations are:

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The regions with the most significant allocations are:

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Significant changes from the previous year’s latest estimates are provided for in the following Ministries/ Departments:

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Capital Expenditure

Central Government’s capital expenditure for the year is budgeted at $85.6Bn which is 51.7% above revised 2012 and 40.9% of total 2013 expenditure. The Ministries/Departments with the most significant capital expenditure allocations compared with the latest estimates for 2012 are:

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Highlights from Minister’s Speech

The Minister in his speech highlighted the following allocations:

Educational facilities                                               $28.7Bn

Health facilities                                                          $19.2Bn

Public safety and security                                     $17.5Bn

Roads and bridges                                                     $12.6Bn

Drainage and irrigation structures                       $6.5Bn

Air and river transport                                             $5.3Bn

Support to the sugar industry                                $1.0Bn

Housing                                                                           $3.1Bn

e-Government                                                               $2.0Bn

Sea defense structures                                               $1.9Bn

Water supply system                                                 $2.7Bn

Power sector                                                               $11.2Bn

Agriculture sector                                                      $1.9Bn

Sanitation                                                                   $600Mn

Ram & McRae’s Comments

i     Proceeds from the R.E.D.D. Investment Fund were a mere $839 million compared to a budget of $18.4 billion in 2012. The Minister now provides for $20 billion, the drawdown of which depends on Government’s ability to meet its obligations.

ii    Expenditure of non-budgetary funds continues to be significant with the administration allocating monies for major contracts, social and other developments. The construction of the Marriott Hotel is a key non-budgetary project. Other entities that engage in large amounts of public expenditure without parliamentary scrutiny and approval are the Guyana Forestry Commission; the Geology and Mines Commission; the Central Housing and Planning Authority; and the Lottery Commission. The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, which increased its bank balance by $5.7Bn over the last two years, plans to expend over $7 billion as “other operating expenses”, up from $3 billion in 2012.

iii   More recently the President has announced that twenty-seven Amerindian communities will receive a $5Mn grant each to execute economic ventures, provide employment and promote sustainable development. The programme is being funded by the Norwegian Government through the Guyana REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) Investment Fund – GRIF.

iv   Again a huge sum is being voted for GECOM for which no justification was offered.

v   Expenditure on the CJIA Modernisation Project is projected at $5.35 billion on top of $4.32 billion spent in 2012 – a mobilisation advance.