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Yesterday’s public announcement by President Irfraan Ali that he has changed his mind on the cash transfer is further evidence of his unfitness for office and sloppy approach to governance. On Wednesday, October 16, 2024 the president announced each individual, 18 years and older will received $100,000 in a one-off cash transfer. Last week, Thursday October 10, 2024, the president told the nation, via an address in Parliament, the cash transfer will be $200,000 to each household and will be paid out immediately.
Shortly thereafter, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo publicly humiliated the president. At at his press conference, the vice president announced the money won’t be paid until sometime next year. This begs the question: Who is the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana? Mr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali or Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo? For the last four years the nation still struggle to determine who is really in charge.
The above being said, the president’s decision on Wednesday as it was last week Thursday amounts to the same thing- an extremely thinly veiled political ploy aimed at winning favour ahead of Regional and General Elections, here, in Guyana slated for 2025. Whilst the figure may sound appealing, we must see it for what it really is: a mere palliative that does very little to address the systemic issues facing the Guyanese people, especially single parents, who must take the brunt of daily hardship to put food on the table for their children.
For too long we in Guyana have witnessed our nation, rich in oil reserves, struggle under the weight of high living costs and grossly inadequate social support. With one of the highest per capita incomes in the Caribbean, it is beyond astonishing that the PPP/C government believes G$200,000 (approx US$1000.00) or $100,000 (approx. US$500.00) will meaningfully alter the lives of those suffering in our local communities.
Either or both sum is simply insufficient to alleviate the financial pressures many families face daily. The average rent for a decent 3 bed-room house in the city is around US$1500.00. The rent of that very house fully furnished could be as much as US$3500- 4000.00. I have not said anything about monthly costs of utilities and food supplies.
Moreover, let us not forget that with a population of less than a million, the government has the capacity to provide significantly more- upwards of $500,000 per citizens- if it truly prioritised the welfare of the people over electoral gains. Instead of band-aid solutions, we need a compressive approach to improve infrastructure, education, healthcare, and job opportunities that will create lasting change.
The government must go beyond superficial gestures and focus on sustainable development that genuinely uplifts the lives of all Guyanese. Perhaps, one of the numerous activities that this incumbent regime can consider is a Zero tax policy for Guyanese. If managed wisely it could lead to a number of benefits including: increased disposable income, investment and economic growth, entrepreneurship, enhanced public services, wealth redistribution, and incentives for skilled labour.
Finally, we have to hope and pray that this distribution does not end up like the COVID cash grant. Many citizens are still waiting with pink slips to get that money. And the nation is still waiting on the final audit of those billions of dollars.
It was James Madison who said: “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.” We must force the government to put in place a strict system to ensure the integrity of the systems of distribution, transparency and accountability.
