By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
Hopes that Guyanese would receive a $100,000 cash grant in time for the Christmas season were dashed this week after President Irfaan Ali announced that the financial relief will instead be issued next year.
As anticipation grew in the lead-up to the holidays, many citizens were counting on the cash grant to ease mounting financial pressures and support seasonal spending. However, in a national address on Wednesday, President Ali confirmed that the $100,000 cash grant will be distributed in 2026 to every Guyanese aged 18 and older, dampening expectations of a year-end payout.
In the days leading up to the announcement, HGPTV Nightly News spoke with vendors and shoppers across Georgetown, many of whom expressed mixed reactions ranging from frustration to resignation.
One vendor at the Bourda Market was blunt in her assessment, noting that while she continues to work regardless, unfulfilled promises only deepen public skepticism. Another vendor accused the government of raising expectations during the election period, describing the situation as misleading and disappointing.
Others, however, expressed concern for those who were heavily relying on the anticipated payout. A bread vendor said many Guyanese were depending on the grant to make ends meet during the Christmas season, adding that it could have provided some relief amid rising costs.
Another market vendor observed that Guyana has increasingly become a society where many people depend on government assistance, arguing that additional spending power would have translated into a happier Christmas for struggling families.
Not all reactions were critical. One egg vendor took a more measured stance, saying while she was concerned, she would accept the grant whenever it is paid.
The issue has also drawn sharp political criticism. Opposition Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) accused the President of failing to honour public expectations, stating that many hard-working, tax-paying Guyanese—particularly public servants—were looking forward to the grant to offset the rising cost of living.
Mahipaul contended that promises of economic transformation were not reflected in the lived realities of ordinary citizens, asserting that the deferred payout has left many feeling excluded from the country’s growing wealth.
Azruddin Mohamed, presumptive Leader of the Opposition and Member of Parliament representing We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), also condemned the President’s announcement, accusing the administration of deliberately misleading the population.
Meanwhile, HGPTV Nightly News observed that prices in municipal markets remain high, with essential items such as eggs selling for between $1,200 and $1,800 per tray, further underscoring the financial strain faced by households during the festive season.
As Christmas approaches, the delayed cash grant has become a focal point of national debate, highlighting broader concerns about cost of living, public trust, and economic expectations in Guyana.
