year than the proposed cost of its welfare promises. The party’s 2025 manifesto outlines major social spending: raising the “Because We Care” children’s grant from $50,000 to $100,000 annually for students in both public and private schools, plus an additional annual 100,000 transportation grant per child; increasing the old age pension from \41,000 to $60,000, with a 50,000 annual transportation grant for pensioners; and boosting public assistance from \22,000 to $40,000. PPP/C asserts these increases would total about $100 billion per year, directing benefits to vulnerable groups.

PPP/C’s argument emphasizes direct transfers to those in poverty or with difficult circumstances, viewing these measures as a gamechanger for pensioners, families, and public assistance recipients.

Regarding oil revenues, the party notes that in 2024 the government paid over $500 billion in income taxes on behalf of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited and partners Hess and CNOOC under the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) governing the Stabroek Block. The amount paid in taxes for these three oil companies last year is stated as five times the cost of the proposed social increases.

The Irfaan Ali-led PPP administration reiterates it will not renegotiate the Stabroek Block deal. On the 2025 campaign trail, opposition parties—APNU, AFC, and WIN—propose renegotiating with ExxonMobil for better terms, but Jagdeo dismisses these promises as political bluff, reiterating the PSA’s stabilisation clause that restricts unilateral changes and requires Exxon’s consent for renegotiation. ExxonMobil Guyana (45% stake) partners Hess (30%) and CNOOC (25%) operate the Stabroek Block. (Kaieteurnewsonline)