–part of package for a bright, stable future for Guyanese, Jagdeo says

MORE cash transfers for families, tax reductions and cheaper, stable electricity are among some of the major development plans that will help shape the PPP/C government’s next term in office, according to Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

Jagdeo while speaking at a public meeting at the Mahaica Market Square on Tuesday, pledged to citizens that: “You’re going to see a changed Guyana.”

After inheriting an economy that was marred with massive unemployment and hundreds of burdensome taxes, he highlighted a Guyana today where Guyanese are no longer hopeless.

Since taking up office in 2020, VP Jagdeo said that there have been no new taxes and in fact, there have been numerous major tax cuts to ensure that citizens can live a better life.

Speaking on the impact of the measures that have been implemented by the government, Dr. Jagdeo said tens of billions of dollars annually have been injected into the pockets of citizens.

Among these is the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant that was taken away by the previous coalition administration but was reinstated by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government. This initiative has placed some $11 billion more per year into the pockets of families, benefitting around 200,000 school-aged children.

He used the opportunity to highlight the transportation grant that the government is promising to implement in its new term. In the coming days, families will hear what the sum of the grant will be, he disclosed.

Jagdeo further said that the government has implemented programmes and policies that target every group and as such, pension and public assistance have also increased.

He said that there will be continued cash grants like the $100,000 one that was distributed to adult Guyanese. He promised that such an initiative will be rolled out periodically.

As the VP continued to speak on the targeted support being provided to families, he said that the newborn grant of $100,000 will be given to every child born in Guyana.

“If the babies are born in Guyana, then we should give them the money because these are children born in Guyana,” he emphasised.

Meanwhile, those living along the East Coast corridor will benefit from a major water treatment plant at Hope which will improve supply their water supply.

Industries including rice, mining, and fishing will receive continued support, while tax reductions will remain a key policy priority, Dr. Jagdeo stressed to his audience.
He further pointed out that the government is spending billions to subsidise electricity and this has resulted in stable rates.

Fuel costs have been reduced through the removal of the 50 per cent tax, he later said.

In the government’s new term, he said that electricity rates will be slashed by 50 per cent and Guyana will also be able to produce its own cooking gas that will be cheaper for Guyanese.

Turning his attention to housing, he highlighted that this sector which was neglected under the previous government has seen massive development under the present administration.

Over 50,000 house lots have been allocated and according to VP Jagdeo, housing developments will be accelerated in the government’s new term, with even more support for the construction of houses.