Prime Minister has announced that his government’s plans for education has resulted in that Ministry receiving the largest share of the EC$1.7 Billion Dollar Budget.
He stated that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has the highest allocation in the amount of $151.6 Million which includes an allocation of $18 million in support of the recently opened University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.
The huge amount allocated to the Ministry of Education, will among other things be utilized for the expansion and refurbishing of schools and colleges and the awarding of scholarships.
In announcing the 1.7 Billon Dollar Budget, Prime Minister Browne stated that recurrent Expenditure, excluding principal payments, plus Capital Expenditure gives Total Expenditure of $1.21 billion for Fiscal Year 2020.
He said that total Revenue and Grants in Fiscal Year 2020 is $1.12 billion, a 16% or $154.0 million, increase over the amount budgeted in 2019.
“Therefore, the projected fiscal deficit for Fiscal Year 2020 is $96 million. This will be a 45% reduction in the overall deficit compared to the estimated deficit for 2019,” he said.
In funding the Budget, Prime Minister Browne stated that there is a requirement of $586.7 million.
“Our Government will raise $275 million from Securities issued on the Regional Government Securities Market; issue $95 million in development bonds; and access loans and advances of $216.7 million,” Prime Minister stated.
“Our Government is delivering on our people’s expectations.…investing in our country’s future…empowering our people through ownership…keeping our taxes low…and getting our debt down……Now we must pull together …to build the bright, prosperous future that is within our nation’s grasp. We must resolve to go forward, not backward… And continue to build this nation of which we are all so proud, and a country which we all so enduringly love,” PM concluded.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has the highest budgetary allocation in the amount of $151.6 million.
Included in the allocation for this ministry is $18 million, to support the UWI Five Islands Campus.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment receives the second largest allocation of $113.6 million.
The Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, Public Safety and Labour has the third highest allocation at $108.6 million, which will be used to execute programmes to enhance public safety, strengthen the justice system, and pursue the Government’s legislative agenda.
The Ministry of Works is allocated $84.5 million in Budget 2020, to continue to manage and maintain public infrastructure.
The Ministry of Tourism and Economic Development is allocated $28.6 million in Budget 2020, to execute a strategy for the sector, designed to deliver another year of stellar performance.
Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Information Technology – $20.4 million
Ministry of Housing, Lands and Urban Renewal – $6.3 million
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Immigration – $39.3 million
Ministry of Social Transformation, Human Resource Development, Youth and Gender Affairs – $28.6 million
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs – $18.3 million
Ministry of Civil Aviation, Energy and Transportation – $9.2 million
Ministry of Sports, Culture, National Festivals and the Arts – $25.7 million
The 2020 budget also includes allocations for:
• Office of the Governor General – $2.3 million
• The Legislature – $2.3 million
• The Cabinet – $4.1 million
• The Judiciary – $2.3 million
• The Service Commissions – $958,000
• Audit – $1.3 million
• Electoral Commission – $4.6 million
• Ombudsman – $634,000
• Public Debt Payments – $613.8 million
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Hon. Gaston Browne CONGRATULATIONS on presenting a WONDERFUL Budget 2020. Great Job as usual. Blessings
Kudos must be given to the PM for such a forthful & eloquent budget speech.
According to what seen in parliament today, it appears as though the interest of Politics & economics is now taking a paradigm shift.
Young people perhaps within the age group of 25 to 40 are generating a great interest..
The programs and policies of PM Gaston Browne and the ABLP seems to be creating that paradigm shift
This man will be remembered as a GREAT leader in the tradition of Vere Cornwall Bird Sr. He make Antigua proud. We stand with dignity.
I really wish we could do more private fundraising for our new UWI campus rather than relying on our government money for it. Also, the other OECS countries should step-up and contribute financially to the new UWI campus.
Maybe we should impose a special tax on every OECS country citizen working in Antigua to help pay for the new UWI campus since their home countries aren’t?
The return will come.
“Squandermania gone mad”
Another $587M in debt piled on the backs of pickey head smaddy.
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