In over a half dozen writings, I asserted that there will be a cash grant. The question was when. Scratch 2025. But, as Pres. Ali had reassured Guyanese, ‘they will have a nice Christmas.’ The smile on his face evident in late August, is even broader today in the later part of December. Guyanese got the president’s version of a nice Xmas. An announcement. For 2026. See how the headman is looking out for citizens who refuse to use their heads. Give the cash grant in December, and everybody broke in 2026. Probably squawking for yet another cash grant, regardless of where oil prices are, since Exxon can produce more daily.
For health reasons there was no listening either to the address of Pres. Trump or that of Guyana’s dearly beloved Pres. Ali. No disrespect meant, but there are enough entertainers competing for time and attention, and both leaders fall short. When sport is on the menu, Guyana’s boisterous politics works. Look, Pres. Ali gave his word, and there’s a cash grant. An announcement is as good as collection. There is psychic value, something to anticipate. “Lean on me, when you’re not strong….” I shouda been a singer. Okay, a composer. Can we cease arguing about cash grant starting right now, please? VP Jagdeo was the one who gave Guyanese his own version of a confidence booster. ‘If the president said there will be a cash grant, borrow another dollar and bet it. He’s a man of his word.’ Thanks, Excellency VP. But if that’s the president’s word, then Latin is my new language. It is a dead language, but still works best when dealing with those dead to the realities of the punishing existence of armies of Guyanese. Xmas will be in the red, 2026 opens with the brightness of green -$100,000 worth.
Dejected Guyanese can talk molasses, but Pres. Ali is alive to Guyanese realities; some of them, anyway. It takes a thoughtful, visionary, caring president to table a massive rail link. Down with congestion in GT. It must have been inordinately difficult to travel from Freedom House to State House, outriders and sirens, and all. Hence, a rail link is on the cards. May they be straight and clean. As before, I am all for a rail link connecting anywhere to anywhere, if only to get away from the madness of the city. Tried getting around in a vehicle across or uptown and downtown Georgetown recently? Here’s a smarter question: from where are Guyanese getting all that spending money? Gold smuggling? Note how I am proven right again, when I insist that Mohamed Irfaan Ali is a smart man, a street man, a man who knows what is going on in Guyana? He is saving citizens from themselves. Cash grant in hand in December, and de monee dun before Boxing Day. Money coming in January, and Guyanese are solid in the pocket all the way to the next cash grant. Mash Day anyone? Here is one more gem from Excellency Ali, a man of sparkle and sizzle, just like fairy lights. Or the warning glow that comes before a GPL shower of darkness.
Every Guyanese will be able to have a bank account. Gee whiz, Mr. President, I like the sound of that, the rich vision behind it. Now try this reality check. To open a bank account, a good idea, requires a token deposit. Some Guyanese don’t even have minibus money, so how are they going to get to a bank, and what are they going to use for a deposit, even of one Guyana dollar? I think the Stabroek News or Kaieteur News headline about the promised cash grant should be made into cryptocurrency for a one-time bank deposit to complete the account opening. Or, banks can be ordered, on the pain of penalty, to loan Guyanese the deposit, and get that business over. The government is taking out loans left, right, and center, so the same facility should be made available to the ordinary man and woman.
Last, I read of the president’s call for a fundamental shift in national mindset and values towards “a more caring and value base (sic) society.” Whoever wrote that should be charged for treason. Guyanese are in dire need and they are fed this scripted drivel about “need” and “structure.” De maan who belly full can tell he mattee go get an education. Learn to ignore stomach and children, and prioritize higher ambitions and goals that speak of character. It is as times like these that all the emptiness in Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the man and leader. are lit in gaudy neon brightness. Pes. Ali has every reason to smile. He just got away with another nifty one.
