…govt adviser Shuman recommends
Government adviser and Deputy Speaker, Lenox Shuman has called on the government to only give fully vaccinated citizens house lots and the $19,000 student cash grant.
Shuman is the lone Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) Member of Parliament who was backed by the government to get the position of deputy speaker.
“I would like to recommend that the GoG only provide the ‘Because we care’ cash Grants and House Lots to the fully vaxed parents and those who are fully vaccinated,” Shuman wrote on his Facebook page on Monday.
Moments after issuing the statement, Shuman received a barrage of criticism.
Minister of Education, Hon. Priya Manickchand MP says there will be no discrimination in the Government’s ‘Because We Care’ cash grant programme, as each child in the public school system will benefit.
“Shame on you! I lost all respect I had for you, you’re now power drunk like the AFC,” one person wrote under his post. Another person commented: “All Guyanese should benefit and enjoy what is rightfully theirs in a free and fair manner without being threatened, your suggestion is very poor, smh.”
The PPP/C Administration rolled out the ‘Because We Care’ Cash Grant Programme earlier this month, and has assured the nation there will be no discrimination. The programme, which targets parents of school aged children in the public school system, is intended to cushion the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The ‘Because We Care’ cash grant was first introduced in 2014 valued at $10,000. Additionally, the PPP/C Government has increased the school uniform and supplies voucher from $2,000 to $4,000, which is being distributed in cash this year. Each child registered in the public school system will receive $19,000. Approximately 172,000 students will benefit from the $3.2 billion programme countrywide.
Similarly, in the Housing Sector, the Government has been attempting to meet the high demands for residential lands, by providing house lots to those in need. Many persons are of the believe that the COVID-19 vaccines should not be imposed on citizens, and it is their right to decide whether to take it or not.