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 $128.3billion which is 10.6% more than budget 2013. The Ministries/ Departments with the most significant allocations are:
The regions with the most significant allocations are:
Significant changes from the previous year’s latest estimates are provided for in the following Ministries/ Departments:
Capital Expenditure
Central Government’s capital expenditure for the year is budgeted at $81.1 billion which is 61.9% above revised 2013and 36.8% of total 2014 expenditure. The Ministries/Departments with the most significant capital expenditure allocations compared with the latest estimates for 2013 are:
Highlights from Ministers’ Speech
The Minister in his speech highlighted the following allocations:
Educational facilities $32.9Bn
Health facilities $21.5Bn
Public safety and security $19.5Bn
Roads and bridges $13.7Bn
Power sector $7.7Bn
Air and river transport $7.6Bn
Drainage and irrigation $6.9Bn
Support to the sugar industry $6.0Bn
Housing $4.4Bn
Water supply system $2.5Bn
Sea defence structures $1.9Bn
Agriculture sector $1.5Bn
Information technology $1.1Bn
Sanitation $544.6M
Ram & McRae’s Comments
1. We had drawn attention to the spending proposed by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission in 2013. Combined with the Guyana Gold Board, a total of $27,798 million was spent under the heading “other operating expenses” over the last two years and an additional $6,255 million is budgeted for 2014. We remain concerned over the lack of parliamentary scrutiny to which these and other bodies are subject.
2. Expenditure on roads will amount to $12.9 billion. Several road projects are planned after housing areas have been developed leading to substantial frustration for citizens. And even when these projects are approved, there is significant slothfulness that is evident – without fear of penalty.
3. $6.6 billion is budgeted for the CJIA extension and is likely to face problems in light of parliamentary stalemate on the expansion project.
4. Unbelievably the Estimates contain a provision of US$80 million equity contribution to the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.