2024 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure is a dishonest document – Dr Friday

Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, Dr Godwin Friday has described the 2024 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure as “a dishonest document.”

The voluminous document of 873 pages was laid in Parliament and passed during the sitting of the House of Assembly on Tuesday, December 19.

Leading off the debate on the Estimates on Tuesday, the Opposition Leader expressed concern about a projected shortfall in revenue amounting to some $215 million, listed in the document as “other receipts of revenue.”

The New Democratic Party (NDP) leader wondered where that money will be coming from.

Further describing the Estimates as “a big fat lie”, Friday suggested that the document should have been presented “based on real calculated projections of revenue and expenditure.”

Friday added that “the Estimates have to be a guide, not just for the government, but for the society at large.”

On Tuesday, Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves presented estimates of expenditure amounting to $1.6 billion, which Friday said was presented to give the impression that all is well.

He said year after, there are shortfalls of financing, and that this shortfall “is part of the Budget process going forward for the entire year.”

Consequently, Friday said “A lot of the stuff they say they will do, they cannot do, because they don’t have the money.”

“Why not do the projections based on what you think realistically you will earn, and then implement that Budget,” Friday argued.

The opposition leader also noted that each year, the credibility gap in the Budget gets “wider and wider.”

He also raised concerns about the number of special warrants that are used up in any given year and also called on government to commit to reducing its overdraft, which now stands at over $100 million.

Friday added that there are lots of promises and no fulfilment in the Estimates.

The Northern Grenadines Representative called on government to focus on people, and not just on projects.