BREAKING: One-month bonus, free housing materials for soldiers

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Wednesday announced that soldiers will get a one-month bonus as his government pursues other initiatives that will improve their professional and personal development.

The Head of State said this during his address at the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Annual Christmas Lunch at Base Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown.

He reminded those gathered at Camp Ayanganna that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) promised to return this annual bonus once re-elected. And for the second consecutive year, the soldiers are getting the bonus.

This bonus, which is usually tax-free, is in addition to the eight per cent salary increase and the salary adjustments for some soldiers.

Beyond that bonus, however, the President said his government is keen on facilitating soldiers’ personal and professional development because their service to the nation is highly-valued.

As such, he announced that all soldiers who received land allocations will get free steel and cement through the government’s housing support initiative.

And on December 28, the government will facilitate an engagement between soldiers and the local banks to get their loan approved to build their houses.

“I assure you that as your Commander in Chief, as President and as government, going forward, every single lives of Guyanese and of all of you here, every single day will get better and prosperity will come more for every single one here,” President Ali said.

Training opportunities will also be expanded so that more soldiers will get international exposure.