His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali announced a significant increase in the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, old-age pension, and public assistance, along with the provision of a substantial transportation grant for children and pensioners.
The President made the announcement to thousands of Guyanese in Lethem during a grand public meeting in Region Nine (Upper Takutu–Upper Essequibo) this evening.
He stated that his Government would, at a minimum, place $200,000 annually into the pockets of all Guyanese schoolchildren. The ‘Because We Care’ cash grant will increase from $50,000 to $100,000 per year, while a new transportation grant will also amount to $100,000.
President Ali added that his Government will allocate an additional $19 billion annually for public assistance, raising it to a minimum of $40,000 per person. For pensioners, he announced that at least $65 billion will be set aside to increase the old-age pension to a minimum of $60,000. An additional $4 billion will also be allocated to support pensioners with a transportation grant of $50,000.
During the meeting, the President spoke extensively about his Government’s expansive economic development plan for the region and Guyana as a whole.
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips and Vice President, the Honourable Dr Bharrat Jagdeo were also in attendance.
