On October 16, 2024, the President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, announced that Guyanese 18 years old and above are eligible to receive a one-off cash grant of 100,000 Guyana dollars.
“My government will now [provide] a one-off cash grant of $100, 000 to every citizen of Guyana 18 years and above, as of January 1 2024,” Ali announced in an address posted on the official Facebook page of Guyana’s Office of the President.
To qualify for the grant, individuals must verify their identity as a Guyanese national by showing they own a valid national identification card and/or a valid passport.
The President’s address came a week after an official announcement that each household in Guyana would receive $200 000.
However, according to Ali, an adjustment was made following mixed feedback from the public, with some sounding fears of being left out due to complicated household structures and family dynamics.
About the amended plan of issuing $100, 000 cash grants, the President of the Guyana Saint Lucia Association, Patrick Chester, told St. Lucia Times, “I’m excited about the whole thing, but generally speaking, as the association’s president, quite a few Guyanese in Saint Lucia are already asking how can they get this money because that’s USD $500 and it comes at a nice time for Christmas.”
Chester says he sees it as an initiative aimed at giving back: “It’s a situation where the interest that they get from the oil money, they need to make sure that the citizens share in the wealth. So that’s the general idea, showing that look, all this money that you heard is being made, we’re giving it back to you, you get something from it you don’t have to do anything, here’s some money.”
The government estimates that the distribution of the grants will take five months.
During a press conference, Guyana’s Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, shared that the government is planning to facilitate the disbursing of funds via an app that is currently being developed.
On October 10, the government of Guyana also announced tuition fee waivers for all students at the University of Guyana—a policy that also saw an update a week later.
President Ali stated in his address, “Furthermore, it would be recalled that I also announced the abolition of tuition fees at the University of Guyana with effect from January 1, 2025. In response to feedback received, I now wish to announce that the tuition fees will also be abolished at all government technical and vocational training institutions.”
According to the President, these plans are part of the “government’s overall aim of increasing disposable income, creating better opportunities, and building prosperity for all the people of Guyana.”
They going back to poor soon. This is Caribbean politics for u, no vision, no education that can be put to use to push their country forward. Just ego and basic thinking. What will this accomplish? Why not come up with solid programmes that can have a lasting effect? Perhaps assistance for single parents, based on income, or extend programmes for the poor, make it cheaper for entrepreneurs to get loans for businesses. Something that successful countries with thinking people have done. Not “a you wake up one day and give a few dollars to everyone cause u think u make it!” Stupid! Intellectual capacity either not used for good or is missing entirely. Dont talk about governance, they know nothing about it. They can’t function beyond village level politics that’s the Caribbean for u.
Amazing! This is 2024 and that’s the best plan and long term vision for Guyana and Guyanese in the toolbox? Do overseas Guyanese in Guyana really need $500 (US)? Seems ripe for continued cottage industry named “Fraud” Are the new Venezuelan/Guyanese (without a country) who possess appropriate documentation eligible as well? Head scratching!
Guyana is experiencing the ‘resource curse’, also known as the ‘poverty paradox”, where countries with abundant natural resources have lower rates of development and economic growth than countries not so blessed. Instead of using the resources to develop the country and its people, money is just being given away, a looming crisis.
Meanwhile the Governemt of St. Luca and Inland Revenue don’t even want to give you back your damn money they owe you in tax refunds. I haven’t been working and I have been begging those thieves for my own money due to me from 2015 – 2021. Not a cent for over 2 years of begging.
@Carry on, free education is a solid futuristic investment. I applaud the Guyana government for also distributing some of the oil wealth. African nations with oil should take note.
@Carry on, your mindset is flawed. That money is a small percentage of what was and is being made from the oil. The oil belongs to the entire country so it’s just a small give back to citizens. additionally the money goes right back into the economy. I would like to know what country you are a citizen of? because as far as I know the Guyanese president is doing a great job so far. What is your leader doing?
For the critics, are you aware of the scale of development in Guyana at the moment? smh
Guyana is on its way to becoming a big economy in the Caribbean and south America. However, responsible resource management is required to avoid the creep into corruption and by extension the breakdown of society and it’s institutions. The people must benefit from the wealth in order to have a stake in what belongs to them…Good luck Guyana.
I would like to know the value of the Guyanese Dollar compared to the U.S.
I remember many years ago in St. Lucia no one would touch Guyanese money;
is a Guyanese Dollar worth 10 Cents U.S. today?
Good for Guyana and the Guyanese People..:.how ever it may seem to some of these fools commenting here don’t understand ITS A GIVE BACK. The country has been blessed with oil and the president saw it fitting for its citizens to share in the proceeds from the sale of its oil DUH. Over time he might give more and may God bless them. As per expected the foolishness the “usual equations” what is the government of St Lucia giving back NOTHING FOOLS we have a barren sea bed and a white man owns it, just ask the character O Really he looses more sleep over it than the average St Lucian it’s dear to his heart. BIG UP YOURSELF GUYANA no more shall you be frowned upon like back in the day you will be the real Dubai some Clown dream of down here. Big up to Jamaica you and Guyana was always tight because many use to make you out to be Bonnie and Clyde in everything bad, we hear you found a little ting but yull still researching soon you won’t be frowned upon either with Demonic Headlines. The position of this present government is to make friends with everyone, because you will never know who you will need to lean on.
Guyana $200.00 is equal to USD 1.00, XCD 1.00 is Guy $75.00
One Guyanese dollar = $0.0048 US
$200 000 .. .. = $960 US
FYI it’s a popular way to boost a country’s economy
When inventories are depleted due to people buying, production kicks in.