Infrastructure, jobs & childcare support key focus for citizen empowerment – Pres. Ali

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday said investments into infrastructure, childcare support and job creation are building an eco-system that supports disposable income growth, leading to citizen empowerment.

The President was at the time commissioning the $93.8 million Day and Night care and Early Childhood Centre in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara). He highlighted that through massive investments in the health, education and social service sectors, a comprehensive poverty reduction framework is being built.

According to Dr. Ali, with millions of dollars injected into early childhood development and focus placed on family planning through programmes by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, opportunities for families to benefit economically are generated.

He said parents who once worried about finding caregivers while they worked can now benefit from the free caregiving services facilities that will be established in other regions. Adding to that, jobs are created at the centres and going forward, these facilities will work collectively with the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) and community police.

“These investments are linked to economic and social inclusion.

“We’re going to work on upskilling our part time workers. And we already have a mechanism through which this will be linked. So, it will be linked to police stations, fire service, mosque, temples…we’re going to support directly, families, not only in terms of cash transfer and grants, but we also empower families to own their own homes by giving you subsidies to build your homes,” the head of state said.

He noted that the cost of living in Guyana is a major part of the government’s plans, with focus placed on free healthcare, recreation facilities, toll free transport at the major bridges and community facilities. Additionally, the President said the treated water infrastructure also complement this plan by ensuring families are healthy.

“Every time we invest in giving you treated water, every time we invest in giving you a better road, give you a better drainage, reduce the risk of malaria, reduce the risk of typhoid, reduce the risk of dengue, all of those investment help in Family Development, and that is why investing in infrastructure is so critically connected to the improvement and empowerment of families,” he said.

Dr. Ali said the government aims to build equity in the system, giving everyone the type of support that is needed for a family to grow.