-as Ministry of Finance acknowledges challenges
The distribution of the government’s $100,000 cash grant to remaining regions is still being worked on even as registration for eligible recipients continues.
A representative from the Ministry of Finance (MoF), speaking with Stabroek News yesterday, indicated that while efforts are being made to expedite the process, certain challenges have delayed its completion.
The official said that progress has been made in several regions, with regions One and Two already nearing completion. “We are almost done with Region One, with no incidents reported. We plan to use the same mechanism to complete the exercise in Region Two and beyond.”
MoF has also launched an online tracker to help recipients monitor the status of their applications. Once registered, applicants can check their status using the ID they submitted. The system provides four possible updates: 1) Record Not Found – this indicates that the applicant’s information is not in the system, possibly due to incomplete or unsubmitted registration. Applicants are encouraged to revisit a registration center to verify or update their details; 2) Submitted – the record is in the system but has not yet been processed; 3) Verified – the record has been processed, and the details match the submitted ID; 4) Cheque Printed – a cheque has been printed for the applicant, who must await official announcements regarding distribution.
The representative noted that efforts are underway to enhance the tracker to include collection points, making the process more seamless and efficient for recipients. And to address the issue of shut-in persons, the MoF is collaborating with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. “Persons can call the Ministry of Human Services and indicate that they need assistance with uplifting their cheque.”
The Ministry official assured that the process does not discriminate and anyone above the age of 18, including individuals living on the streets, is eligible to register for the cash grant. “Once they have their ID, they can register to receive the cash grant,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, MoF acknowledged that several factors have contributed to delays, including the simultaneous preparation of the national budget and year-end activities. “At the end of the year, we have to focus on implementing the current budget while preparing for the next one. The Christmas season also posed logistical challenges, as activities during this time can make distribution chaotic,” the official explained.
The government initially set an ambitious target to distribute cash grants to 300,000 recipients but has only reached 90,000 so far. This shortfall underscores the need for careful planning to avoid confusion or errors during the distribution process.
In addition, given its high population density, Region Four remains one of the most anticipated regions for distribution. The representative highlighted the sheer scale of the operation: “For Region Four alone, we printed over 156,000 cheques. Never in the history of this country have we printed that many cheques at once. It requires meticulous planning to ensure a smooth process.”
MoF says it is working to finalise a distribution schedule by the end of the week, with machinery and mechanisms being put in place to ensure efficiency. Meanwhile, recipients are advised to rely on official announcements and updates to avoid misinformation. “There are individuals spreading false information to undermine the process. We encourage the public to wait for official notices and not get too anxious.”