Dear Editor,

President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, announced On October 16, 2024, that Guyanese 18 years old and above will be eligible to receive a one-off cash grant of 100,000 Guyana dollars. The President said the money is a part of his Government initiative to improve the lives of every Guyanese and advise the money be used wisely to better their lives through meaningful investments that combines financial returns with the intent to generate positive social or environmental outcomes.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had indicated that the initial distribution process of the $100,000 one-off cash grant is expected to see about 300,000 Guyanese receiving their cash grants before the end of last year 2024 while the remainder of persons should receive theirs this year. To date, senior citizens along with Ministry staff, teachers, members of the Disciplined Service and some communities in the hinterland have received their grants and while the majority of Guyanese have not received theirs and without knowing when it will be made possible.

Recently, Shadow Minister for Housing and Water, Ms. Annette Ferguson, MP pointed out on her Facebook page that the National Assembly approved $30.5B and the Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh claimed 400,000 persons registered and some 90,000 cheques were distributed. If this is the case, $9B from $30.5B will leave a balance of $21.5B and the question arise here. Where is the balance and why every Guyanese have not benefited from the money allocated for the cash-grant as yet.

I noted that the Government set up a website at https://cg.gov.gy/track, an official government website to: Check if your cheque has been printed; Find the upliftment venue (pickup location) and, for guidance, call telephone 503-2977 or 501-5085 between 9 am and 4:30 pm, from Monday to Friday, except on National Holidays.

Unfortunately, many Guyanese have called the numbers provided and checked the website for over two months and only to learn registration for the cash grant is completed, cheques pending or cheques printed with no time, date or place for the uplifting of their cheques. I will be happy if the Government can provide details to the public as to when everyone will fully benefit from this $100,000 Cash Grant Distribution that was promised to everyone above the age of eighteen years old.

Sincerely, Rayvonne P. Bourne