Dear Editor,
The recent announcement of a cash grant for households and individuals over 18 was celebrated as a monumental step forward by the government. The President’s assurance of instant disbursement sparked excitement across the nation, filling citizens with hope for a brighter and more joyous holiday season. In a year marked by challenges, this promise carried the weight of renewed faith in the government’s commitment to the people. Yet, weeks have passed, and not a single dollar has reached the hands of those eagerly awaiting relief.
What began as a pledge of immediate support has now become a source of disillusionment. The word “instantaneous” transformed hope into expectation, and that unmet expectation now feels like a betrayal. For many, this money symbolized more than financial aid—it was a lifeline, a chance to address pressing needs, and a spark of joy in a season of giving.
Instead, the delay has left citizens grappling with frustration, disappointment, and a deep sense of being let down. Guyanese people are resilient and deserve respect, not empty promises. This moment is a test—not just to the government’s ability to deliver, but to its willingness to honour the trust of its people. Delaying is no longer an option.
Immediate action is not just a demand—it is a duty owed to every citizen who believes in this promise.
We acknowledge that technical limitations related to data, systems, and program management may pose challenges in delivering the cash grant efficiently. However, a powerful resource is readily available: the Preliminary List of Electors on the Guyana Elections Commission’s website
[https://gecom.org.gy/public/home/resource_hub/cno2024-1]. This dataset represents the most up-to-date and reliable information about citizens and their residences. Crucially, it inherently identifies individuals who are over 18 years old, aligning perfectly with the grant’s eligibility criteria.
Moreover, this data contains valuable insights into living situations, including the number of households at each address. Through basic clustering techniques and observation—such as analyzing surnames and address groupings—it becomes possible to refine and confirm household information.
Leveraging this robust dataset would streamline grant distribution and ensure that assistance reaches those who need it without unnecessary delays. It is imperative to utilize existing tools with purpose and urgency to honour the promise made to the people, ensuring that the cash grant is distributed efficiently and transparently. This call to action is supported by preliminary work that has been undertaken to better understand employment data, particularly joblessness in Guyana.
The analysis of these datasets presents an opportunity for the government and responsible stakeholders to take a data-driven approach to addressing this pressing issue. By leveraging this repository of employment data, stakeholders can begin applying descriptive analytics and data science methodologies to design practical, equitable solutions for distributing the grant.
To support this effort, we encourage exploring the preliminary work and resources available at [https://github.com/dutchand/Occupation-Data/]. This repository serves as a starting point for integrating available datasets and expanding the scope through other accessible sources. Together, these resources can help build a robust foundation for informed decision-making and impactful action to deliver cash grants to citizens effectively.
Sincerely,
Dr. Dustin Fraser
