PM says deficit will affect GOB operations; not development
Dean Barrow
Turning to the economy, it’s no secret that “haad” times are hitting home and that little under fifty percent of the population is now considered poor according to a Poverty Assessment report. With the economic and social picture already dismal, Prime Minister Dean Barrow, warned on Wednesday at his first press conference for the year, that the budget for the upcoming fiscal year will have a gaping hole, in the range of sixty million dollars. No stimulus was offered although the budget is expected to be presented to the House of Representatives in early March. But before that, on Tuesday, the Cabinet will go over the figures. And where will the pinch be felt the most? News Five caught up with the Prime Minister in Belmopan today and asked what areas will be affected by the deficit.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“The deficit in the budget is most important from the point of view of government’s operational activities. We have to pay salaries, we have to buy material, we have to provide goods and services on a recurrent basis and that is where the greatest crunch is being felt. In terms of the development side of things, in terms of the job creation side of things—first of all we’ve tried to find more jobs for the public service—but the funding, the monies, the financing that’s necessary to anchor what we call the public sector investment program; the investment in new classrooms, the investment in new infrastructure, the investment in new water systems; that aspect of things I am confident will be in tact because of the funds that we are able to secure from the international development institutions: the Caribbean Development Bank, the European Union and so on. So I actually expect for there to be an increase in development activity; the problem is on the operational side.”
Mr. Barrow, a deficit in the budget is important from anybody’s point of view not only from the government. Correct me if I am wrong, but is the Pime Minister saying that he is not sure what to do but “expects” that some how something will “actually” fix our economy. Belize has a deficit, yet the Prime Minister “Barrow” more money. Maybe at night when we are asleep the elves will make progress for us.
Drastic consequences must have drastic measures! Apart from considering no pay raise for the teachers, this government should also consider the salary deduction and/or ‘other-expense’ reduction of the house representatives, senators, ministers! Since the global reccession is mostly blamed for the huge deficit and stating that the ‘operation’ sector will be affectted in closing the gap; then every accepted measure to close the gap must be applied to all levels of the public-working sector, including the upper ones. thanks
Belizeans and all others are feeling the effects of the reccession, but there are still those rich ones up there just trying to full their pockets. The first thing government should do is show a little of togetherness and by that, stop saying that things are rough and they are getting a raise of salary for just being ministers or mayor???????? Why does the poor be affected and not the rich. Atleast raise taxes on big businesses and lower our income tax aso that we cans end our children to school for a better future and better leaders to get up there.