-President Ali
-says no Guyanese will be left behind during country’s development

IN 2024, Guyana’s first innovative job development programme for differently abled persons will commence operation, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said.
The president during a recent event disclosed the programme will provide amicable support to differently abled persons across the country.

“In building the comprehensive order for development, we must realise that every society there are persons who are differently abled. Those persons must have an equal opportunity in earning, contributing to the economy, contributing to their own welfare and their own families.”

The Head of State noted all Guyanese must be a part of the country’s development and with technology, innovative ways will be explored to make various opportunities more accessible to all.

“In 2024, we will commence the operation of the First Innovative Job Development Programme for differently abled people. We’ll apply the best technology so that they can be given an opportunity to be the best they can be. Our development must leave no one behind.”

President Ali had recently announced plans to provide one-off bonuses in December as part of interventions catered for under the $5 billion allocation that was set aside in Budget 2023 to support people amidst the rising cost of living brought on by global challenges.

Persons living with disabilities, who are on the public assistance register, received an additional $35,000 bonus payable in December 2023. This benefitted 19,000 persons at a cost of $660 million.

Speaking further on job creation, the President noted Guyana will solidify its plans for a massive training programme.
“We will launch a programme that we are discussing with our Canadian counterparts. That is tied to training and jobs.”
This initiative is expected to benefit some 2,000 Guyanese.

“We’ve already raised with Exxon and other partners and other major multinationals operating in Guyana who are outsourcing jobs that they have to work with us in providing some of those jobs in Guyana…what we will be doing in 2024 is launching a specific programme where we will be targeting 2000 Guyanese in the first phase, training them in essential skills certified by the best who give those certifications and aligning them with jobs.”

The government, he noted, is looking at this innovative approach to create higher-value jobs in Guyana.
“[This] is another initiative that will be launched in 2024. We’re already talking to our partners who have the experience,” the Head of State assured.