MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, has praised the National Pathway Workers Project as a transformative initiative that is both alleviating poverty and creating opportunities for long-term economic mobility.

Speaking on the Starting Point podcast on Saturday, Parag revealed that the programme currently employs 18,000 Guyanese, of which 12,000 are women.
She described the project as very significant for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) because it was launched with the intention of “lifting people out of poverty.”

Parag noted that the programme also addresses global economic pressures.
Knowing there is a cost-of-living issue globally, Parag said the government had put measures in place to cushion this. Under the National Pathway Workers Project, participants work 10 days per month and receive $40,000, providing much-needed income support.

Beyond direct earnings, the government has been working with financial institutions to ensure wider access to home ownership.
Parag noted that the government is collaborating with banks to reduce interest rates and stimulate greater home ownership, with income from the part-time programme intended to help participants cover mortgage payments.

She stressed that the project is not intended as a short-term fix. “The programme is not a temporary measure. It is something to be able to move people from one level to the next in terms of training and acquiring qualifications to move into permanent jobs.”

Parag emphasised that the government’s long-term vision is to ensure that beneficiaries are able to transition into more sustainable careers. “We want to be able to position them in a different space in life two to three years from now,” she stated, framing the initiative as a stepping stone toward greater independence and stability.
Minister Parag highlighted the programme’s success in enabling participants to gain skills and earn an income at the same time.

“The opportunities are so abundant in terms of training—whether it be a technical skill or an academic qualification. We are encouraging people to take these opportunities because, obviously, we want our human resources, our most valuable asset, to be able to move forward with our transformation as well,” she explained.

The National Pathway Workers Project was implemented by the Office of the Vice President in 2022.  The initiative began in 2022 with 10,750 workers, and has seen a significant increase in participation. The programme represents an annual investment of billions of dollars.
The initiative has been well-received by citizens, with many lauding the government’s proactive approach to job creation. Since the PPP/C took office in 2020, over

50,000 people have gained employment. Achieving this milestone ahead of schedule represents a significant accomplishment for the PPP/C, fulfilling its 2020-2025 manifesto promise to create 50,000 new jobs by the end of its first term.