The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government is well positioned to carry out its developmental plans for 2024 without instituting new taxes on citizens. This was confirmed today by Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo as he hosted his weekly press conference at Freedom House, Robb Street.
Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh is scheduled to present Budget 2024 before the National Assembly on Monday, January 15. This will be the fourth consecutive budget presented by the PPP/C without imposing new taxes.
Jagdeo refrained from giving much insight into the specifics of the budget. However, he said persons can expect a continuation of PPP/C’s work plan. He said citizens can expect measures that will strengthen economic and social infrastructure as well as support industries.
Jagdeo said Budget 2024 will provide help to vulnerable groups including the elderly as the government moves closer to doubling Old Age Pension from what it stood at in 2020 when Dr. Irfaan Ali assumed presidency. Further, he said the budget will cater for an expansion of the job creation mandate that is already being addressed.
“Budget 2024 will continue to support the same progressive annual accumulation of wealth and welfare that we have embarked upon since we assumed office,” said Jagdeo.
At his weekly press conference also held today, Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton said Budget 2024 will be more of the same, “infrastructure over people.”
Jagdeo said that he takes Norton’s assertion as a compliment as more of the same for a progressive government is a good thing.
“If your path is a progressive one, more of the same is good. If you have a destructive path with no plans, more of the same is bad,” Jagdeo asserted.
