With citizens still complaining about the rise in the cost of living, the opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), is demanding that the Government begins the process of the cash grant distribution.

At a press conference on Friday, APNU Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan said as the rising cost of food bites, Guyanese are growing increasingly concerned as the Government remains silent on a start date for the disbursement of the $100,000 cash grant to eligible Guyanese.

“I think Guyanese people continue to feel the harshness of the high cost of living in this country on a daily basis, and that is why you had for instance all of the furora about Christmas Cash Grant and that has not been forthcoming, and Guyanese are asking every single day, now that we have agreed and money is in the budget, when is that forthcoming. People consistently ask that,” MP Duncan told reporters.

The National Assembly has approved a total of $72.5 Billion for the distribution of the $100,000 cash grant to more than 716,261 persons. According to the Government, the sum includes provisions for almost 14,000 persons who are expected to turn 18 this year. During the first round, more than 600,000 Guyanese 18 years and older had registered for the grant.

MP Duncan said the faster the Government disburses the cash grant, the better it will be for many, noting that already, the Government has moved to initiate a number of infrastructural projects while making no moves on the cash grant distribution.

Weighing in on the issue, APNU Member of Parliament, Saiku Andrews said the Government remains heavily focused on infrastructure development while the regular man in the street is struggling to make ends meet.

“The president dismisses the notion that you cannot eat road and he has this whole argument about it but they were at one time saying to the APNU that people cannot eat road. I am saying to the Government people cannot eat roads. People need jobs. And there is no supply with up to date data with regards to unemployment, youth unemployment but the people continue to feel the squeeze,” MP Andrews said.

MP Andrews contends that the 2026 National Budget fell short of putting measures in place to truly alleviate poverty and address the continuous rise in cost of living. Government, he stressed, must do more to bring down the cost of food, and basic amenities to ease the burden.

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