PRIME Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, accompanied by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Sonia Parag, on Tuesday spearheaded the distribution of one-off $100,000 cash grants to residents in Region Nine.
The Prime Minister oversaw the distribution of hundreds of cheques at three primary sites: the Tabatinga Sports Complex, Nappi Village, and Hiawa Village, while additional distributions were carried out at several other locations throughout the region.
During his visit, PM Phillips reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing the lives of Guyanese citizens. “I am part of a government that is serious about development. I’m part of a government that is serious about ensuring that you share in the prosperity of this nation,” he stated, highlighting the transformative developments underway across the country.

The Prime Minister discussed various initiatives contributing to this development, including the construction of new state-of-the-art hospitals, increases in the “Because We Care” cash grants for children through the Ministry of Education, new housing projects, and upgrades to the road infrastructure network. He noted that Lethem has directly benefitted from these improvements.
According to the Office of the Prime Minister, approximately 4,000 cheques are expected to be distributed in the coming days, with a total of around 14,000 cheques anticipated for residents across Region Nine by the end of the distribution process.
The $100,000 cash grant initiative follows a four-step process: it begins with a registration exercise in each community, where technical teams equipped with pre-programmed tablets gather data from residents. This is followed by verifying registrants, preparing the cheques, and finally distributing them to eligible citizens aged 18 and older.

In a recent development, pensioners registered for the cash grant in Region Four expressed their appreciation to the government, hoping for timely distribution before December 25, 2024. Additionally, overseas Guyanese with the necessary documentation are eligible for the one-off cash grant, though the grants will not be distributed abroad and require citizens to be in Guyana for registration. This measure aims to ensure that there is no discrimination based on residency, as noted by General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.
The $100,000 cash grant initiative, announced by President Dr. Irfaan Ali on October 16, 2024, is part of the government’s efforts to enhance the quality of life for every qualified Guyanese, placing over $60 billion into the pockets of citizens across the nation.