President Irfaan Ali on Friday announced a two-week tax-free Christmas bonus for members of the Guyana Defence Force, while assuring that their lives and conditions of service would improve as the country develops.
“I assure you that not only are we concentrating on a bag of goodies at Christmas time, but we are concentrating on lifetime change, lifetime opportunity. And I assure you that during my tenure in office, your life, your family life will be better and you will be better equipped for the future,” Ali told soldiers stationed at Kaikan in Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni), where the announcement was made.
Ali joined ranks stationed at Kaikan and residents of the border community for Christmas lunch during a visit on Friday.
According to a statement issued by the Office of the President, Ali emphasised that even though a large portion of the budget will be used to mitigate issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the government is still going to deliver to the men and women in uniform.
He also announced that the ranks will benefit from scholarships and training that will be offered from next year. “Beginning next year, we will commence a programme to launch 20,000 new scholarships. Importantly, many of these diplomas, degrees and certificates will be achieved through distance or online training, giving you the opportunity to also participate. And I assure you in this location; our health workers, [and] our teachers that these opportunities will meet you and you will be able to achieve your educational goals even in these locations, even with the difficulties of the pandemic.”
The president also challenged the officers present to select the three most eligible ranks from amongst themselves to be given University of Guyana scholarships.
As is customary, Ali served the GDF ranks and joined them in the festivities, the statement added.
