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Georgetown, Guyana — Prime Minister Mark Phillips faced sharp scrutiny in the National Assembly on Wednesday over the government’s handling of its cash grant initiative, with opposition MPs highlighting vagueness, inconsistencies, and a lack of clarity in his responses. The $100,000-per-adult cash grant, a central promise of the People’s Progressive Party-led administration, was initially touted as a seamless financial relief measure. However, the Prime Minister’s explanations have raised more questions than answers, particularly regarding timelines, administrative processes, and population coverage.
The administration is seeking $30 billion of the $60 billion reportedly required to cover the grants, leaving half of the funding unaccounted for in the current financial year. When pressed about this shortfall, PM Phillips assured that “by the 31st of December, it is envisioned that we will expend, if not all, most of this money,” and that remaining payments would be addressed in the next budget cycle starting January 2025. Yet, he provided no definitive timeline for when all eligible citizens would receive their payouts.
Lack of Clarity on Population and Registration
The Prime Minister was equally imprecise about the catchment population, estimating that the $30 billion would cover “50 percent of the people who are eligible.” However, he did not confirm the actual size of the eligible population or explain how this estimate was calculated. Opposition MP Shurwayne Holder queried whether there would be another supplemental budget before year’s end, but the PM merely reiterated that the government would return to Parliament if more funds were needed, leaving MPs and the public uncertain about the program’s fiscal strategy.
On the registration process, PM Phillips described a decentralized approach involving public servants and community teams but failed to provide specifics about its structure or timeline. “Registration is taking place and will continue to take place throughout the length and breadth of Guyana,” he stated, adding that public servants, considered a “captive population,” were being prioritized. However, opposition MPs noted reports of no registration activity in some regions, such as Region 2, further casting doubt on the equity and efficiency of the program’s rollout.
Redundant Accountability Measures
The PM defended the decision to require new photographs for registration as a measure of accountability, despite national ID cards already containing photographs. When questioned about the redundancy, he responded vaguely: “Our primary focus is accountability. And if we put that measure in place to satisfy accountability, so be it.” This raised concerns about administrative inefficiencies and potential delays in disbursement. Opposition MPs questioned whether the existing ID database was insufficient for verification, but the Prime Minister sidestepped these issues.
Contradictions and Policy Coherence
PM Phillips’ remarks also underscored inconsistencies in the government’s messaging. The grant was originally announced as an “instantaneous” payment, but the rollout now involves a two-step process, including in-person registration. This shift, combined with conflicting statements from other officials about biometric requirements, has created confusion. MP Sherod Duncan described the situation as “an enigma wrapped in a mystery,” highlighting the lack of coherent communication around the initiative.
The Prime Minister’s responses in the National Assembly have left significant gaps in public understanding of the cash grant policy. Key concerns—such as when all eligible citizens will receive funds, how regional disparities will be addressed, and whether administrative redundancies are delaying payments—remain unresolved. The government’s handling of this initiative raises broader questions about its planning and execution, threatening to undermine public confidence in a critical cost-of-living measure.
