Hon Jermaine Figueira, Member of Parliament, in his presentation, echoed the plight of the “working poor” and ordinary citizens in Region 10 and the country at large. He highlighted the persistent tendency of young professionals and public servants fleeing the nation in pursuit of “greener pastures,” including teachers, nurses, and soldiers. As he put it, they are imprisoned in the ranks of the working poor and called for their emancipation, which can be achieved through the 2024 Budget.
The MP posited that “compassion” should be shown to these public servants through livable wages and salaries and stated that some mothers cannot afford cabbage being sold at 500 Guyana Dollars a pound. In addressing how the “working poor” is living he stated that 75% of the car owners boasted about by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, in his presentation took a loan to purchase their vehicle and paid taxes on the same. He reiterated that the budget could alleviate this ill by the removal of vehicular duties and taxes.
Figuera underscored that persons living in Region 10 are a keen example of the imprisonment to “working poor” status. He stated that patients suffering from diabetes are required to procure their drugs privately contrary to their counterparts in other regions.
He subsequently stated that despite the commendable construction of roads to meet the lands; the means to utilize the land and the conditions necessary were void.
“We in Linden no longer accept just being the gateway to the interior and Brazil, where people and businesses pass through to another destinations. We want to be that destination for commerce, trade, tourism, and entertainment”
The MP urged the government to “incentivize” farmers in the region and create more job opportunities to reduce the level of unemployment