THE vast majority of eligible Guyanese by now would have received their $100K cash grant, despite attempts by the political opposition to disrupt the disbursement process and downplay the beneficial impact it is having on the economic well-being of the Guyanese people, especially those in the lower income bracket and the more vulnerable members of our society.
Without doubt, there is room for improvement in the disbursement process, a fact acknowledged by Vice- President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo when he said that future payments will be simplified to eliminate any confusion that may have arisen. In this regard, the government will examine the possibility of making bank deposits where applicable, thus minimising long lines and other forms of inconvenience.
Despite some initial hiccups, it is fair to say that the disbursement process went fairly well. Seating arrangements were put in place for all who showed up and there was no evidence of any individual being treated with disrespect or in an undignified manner as claimed by the political opposition. Whatever ‘confusion’ there may have arisen, was orchestrated by opposition elements, mainly out of narrow political motives.
In any event, such attempts failed to gain traction and Guyanese from all walks of life were highly appreciative of the gesture by the PPP/C administration to make available significant sums of money to eligible householders. In cases where there are multiple householders such as husband-wife combinations and adult family members living under the same roof, the cash injection to family income is all the more substantial and welcome.
The cash grant payment is yet another fulfillment of a promise made by the PPP/C administration that all Guyanese will benefit from the oil and gas resources of the country, and even though the full benefit of our patrimony is still to be fully realized, this gesture has been warmly received by the Guyanese people.
This cash grant disbursement is by far the largest in the nation’s history and based on assurances given by both President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo it will not be the last. In some respects, this current disbursement exercise can be regarded as a ‘learning curve’ which will only get better with time. The government must be commended for having successfully managed the process despite the magnitude and complexities of the task involved.
As for the tens of thousands of beneficiaries of the grant, they are highly appreciative of the gesture and are full of praise for the PPP/C administration for the gesture. This is manifested in the smiling faces of those who received their cheques. As for the political opposition, they can see nothing good and continue to find ‘faults’ with the exercise, even though they failed miserably to bring relief to the Guyanese people during their tenure in office.
As noted by Vice-President Jagdeo, now that exercise is in its final stages, those with special circumstances such as the disabled and ‘shut-ins’ will now be given special attention and will have their cheques taken to their respective homes.
This is one of the hallmarks of a caring government for which credit must be given to the current PPP/C administration.
