Jagdeo: Citizens can look forward to bigger grants and cheaper electricity

Citizens can look forward to bigger cash grants, cheaper electricity, and expanded housing support if the PPP/C government is re-elected to office, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said on Monday.

He was at the time outlining his party’s five-year development plan during a campaign stop in Mahaica.

Jagdeo, who is also general secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C), said the government would introduce a transportation grant for every child, with the amount to be disclosed next Monday.

“We’re gonna continue to support families. When you have a child in Guyana, you’re going to get a transportation grant for every child and it’s going to be a substantial sum. Every child you have, you’re going to get a transportation grant,” Jagdeo said.

He added that the ‘Because We Care’ grant will increase from G$50,000 per child, with details also due next week. Public assistance and pensions would see “substantial” and “massive” increases, respectively, he said.

On housing, Jagdeo pledged to continue allocating house lots to all eligible applicants and to provide direct help to build or improve homes, particularly for low-income families.

“In housing, we are going to make sure that we continue to work to get a house lot for everyone who needs a house lot. People are gonna start getting help directly to build homes and to improve their homes, especially poor families,” he said.

He also promised continued support for the rice industry, more farmland in Region Five, a new water treatment plant at Hope, and a 50 per cent cut in electricity costs. Cooking gas prices would be reduced, and subsidies for diesel and gasoline maintained, he added.

Other pledges included ongoing baby cash grants – extended to children of foreign parents born in Guyana – more small business support, infrastructure projects for small contractors, and upgrades to recreational facilities and security systems.