–Jagdeo slams opposition for comments on cash grant, conflicting remarks about government projects
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, slammed opposition leaders for their continued criticisms of the government’s $100,000 cash grant, labelling their statements as hypocritical and inconsistent.
During a press conference on Thursday, Dr Jagdeo addressed recent statements made by members of the opposition, including former Finance Minister Winston Jordan, Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman David Patterson, and Economist Clive Thomas.

Jagdeo took aim at Patterson’s recent comments made during an AFC meeting in New Amsterdam, where he insinuated that the grant recipients, primarily Afro-Guyanese, would “misuse” the money on personal luxuries such as hair, nails, and parties.
Patterson claimed that many would squander the grant during the holiday season and by January, would be financially strained once again.

“They will come in January and February for the youths. They will bring Vybz Kartel, the World Boss and the people that been complaining… will take that same entire 100,000, new hair, new nails,” Patterson had said.

Jagdeo criticised Patterson’s remarks as “disparaging” and questioned his credibility in lecturing people on how they should spend their money.
The PPP General Secretary suggested that Patterson, who had been embroiled in controversies over the misuse of public funds from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Company, was in no position to tell citizens how to handle the government’s grant.
Reports indicate that Patterson, while serving as a minister in the APNU+AFC administration, received over $500,000 in gold jewellery and other gifts.

“I think the people, and it was a small group of people, should have said to him [Patterson], ‘You didn’t say the same thing when you’re using taxpayers’ money to buy jewellery for yourself. You didn’t tell us anything at that time,” Jagdeo said.

Patterson has received widespread backlash on social media, with many Guyanese accusing him of being out of touch with the financial struggles faced by ordinary citizens.
One social media user retorted, “Uncle is reality, nothing you do in this life is good enough. You can’t please human beings. But don’t bring in Kartel in this. We, the small man and woman, does spend dem money on house, kids, and school stuff for the kids.”

Another said, “Hear who talking. You should shame to talk. What did you do for the five years you were there? Take Demerara Harbour Bridge money and buy jewellery for yourself.
Jagdeo also addressed criticisms from Economist Clive Thomas, who had originally proposed direct cash transfers of G$1 million per household from oil revenues in his 2018 Buxton Proposal.

Despite being a strong advocate for cash transfers, Thomas has now voiced concerns over the current government’s distribution of the $100,000 cash grant. He argued that the initiative lacked a feasibility study or strategic framework, claiming that the government was using the grant as a political handout.

In response, Jagdeo questioned Thomas’s consistency, pointing out that he had once championed the idea of universal cash transfers.
“I don’t know how you can claim for originating a concept which has been around forever… you, from time to time, can transfer money to people through if you have a surplus or a windfall gain. But he claims credit for it. The same person who was saying it should be done universally to every family… now says we need a feasibility study,” Jagdeo said.

He added: “We see people differently. We see them as Guyanese too, not just as voters. And that is why the cash grant was made to them.”
The General Secretary further criticised former Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who also took credit for aspects of the distribution changes, despite previously ruling out cash transfers.
“It’s almost laughable how people like Winston Jordan now have a lot to say about who should be eligible,” Jagdeo said.
The $100,000 cash grant has been a focal point of the PPP/C government’s efforts to support Guyanese amidst the rising cost of living caused by global economic conditions.
Despite the criticisms from opposition figures, the initiative has been widely welcomed by citizens as a timely intervention.

Jagdeo added the recurring pattern of opposition leaders opposing government initiatives only to later claim ownership of them.
“First, they are opposed to something, then they have an extravagant suggestion. When we do something, they claim credit for it. Then have all kinds of suggestions as to how it would be improved, but they were opposed it. So, this is a recurring pattern. We see it every day on every single initiative that we have done,” the PPP General Secretary said.