The theme for Guyana’s 2018 budget, presented to the National Assembly on November 27 by Finance Minister Winston Jordan is “The Journey to the Good Life Continues”. Its (Guy) $267.1 billion projection focuses primarily on future development, despite the real-time negatives and hardships nationals face on a daily basis.
It is good to hope for the best, and it appears this is what Jordan is doing given his optimism the economy will grow by 3.8 percent in 2018. This figure is a reprise of last year’s projection, which came in much lower at 2.7 percent.
Looking at the more encouraging components, the focus is on job creation; the plans are optimistic for taxes, with the removal of the 14 percent value added tax on private education; old age pension was increased by 2.9 percent. There is also promise in support for Guysuco, and with emphasis on infrastructure, the Prison Service, roads, water supply system, health care, education, waste disposal, and others.
Another positive projection is in an amnesty plan granting companies and individuals a grace period to file and pay back-taxes without penalties from January 1 to September 30 next year. Miners should also be relieved the tributors’ tax has been slashed by 50 percent.
While it appears public confidence in this government continues to wane, at least the budget projection for 2018 offers room for optimism in what could be another challenging fiscal year ahead.

It is not a good sign that religious leaders have called on the government of Trinidad and Tobago for licenced firearms. This is what took place last week following the shooting death of Pundit Sunil Ragbirsingh – it made for a troubling scenario: both the murder, and then the call by holy men for arms.
Pundit Ragbirsingh was shot and killed on the night of November 25, having returned to his Arouca, east Trinidad home following a prayer service. According the reports, Ragbirsingh may have surprised the bandits exiting the scene of the robbery as he entered his house. A bandit fatally shot Ragbirsingh as traumatised relatives looked on.
Earlier, Ragbirsingh had conducted a prayer service at the Endeavour Temple in central Trinidad. According to a devotee who attended the prayers, “…Pundit Sunil Ragbirsingh sang the Hanuman Chalisa praising Lord Hanuman… this was his last glory to the Lord before he left the mandir to go to his home...”
“This is such a tragedy,” said Pundit Robby Roopnarine during the funeral. In grief and outrage over such a senseless murder of a respected and dedicated holy man, another religious leader evoked the troubling, anguishing irony, calling on the government for guns to protect themselves from further attack.
“Give us licenced guns,” Pundit Amar Seepersad said. “Now is time for us to stand up and defend ourselves. We have to do it now. If the State cannot get rid of the guns from the criminals, then give a licenced gun to each one of us to protect ourselves. Look at what is happening to us. We have forgotten our nation, and we are very docile and calm. Yes, continue to do your pujas and chant your bhajans, but now is the time to stand up and defend yourselves.”
Ragbirsingh’s death followed another senseless killing in central Trinidad on November 22, when the promising life of Nishad Amrit Radhay was ended by yet another bandit’s bullet. The 25-year-old businessman was shot during a home invasion and robbery.
Incensed and outraged over these murders, MP Rudranath Indarsingh blamed the government for a spiralling, out-of-control crime epidemic. The government of Trinidad and Tobago needs to pay closer attention to this growing infection of home invasions. This is a sad and ironical place for a country to have come to, when holy men plead for their safety by asking for licenced firearms.