Norton warns Guyanese against relying solely on handouts

Dec 15, 2025 News

(Kaieteur News) – Former opposition leader and head of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey Norton, has raised concerns about the government’s approach to cash grants, cautioning that Guyanese should not rely solely on such transfers.

He stressed that while cash grants are one way of returning Guyana’s oil wealth to citizens, they should not be treated as the only solution. Norton further argued that cash transfers must be organised and predictable if they are to truly benefit the population.

Norton warns Guyanese against relying solely on handouts

APNU leader Aubrey Norton

Speaking on Sunday during APNU’s programme Nation Watch with host Eden Corbin, Norton explained his party’s position on cash grants. “Now, we do not believe you should rely on cash grants or cash transfers. We believe it is one way of transferring resources to the people of Guyana,” he said.

He added that cash transfers should ensure citizens have access to resources generated from oil revenues. While acknowledging the value of cash transfers, Norton emphasised the need for broader economic development.

“We also believe that you have to widen the base of the economy so that people can have employment and can earn,” he stated. According to Norton, predictable cash transfers can help reduce inequality by ensuring ordinary citizens benefit from national resources, rather than wealth being concentrated on a small population.

“Cash transfers in a predictable way, they allow people to access the resources that are theirs and it tends to help removing from the society, the inequality, where the top 1 or 2 percent, they are having a nice time in the country. And the majority of the people suffer,” Norton said. Norton also questioned the government’s handling of the initiative, arguing that cash grants should not be distributed at the discretion of political leaders.

“Can it be at the whims and fancies of the government? They wake up today and they feel like they give a cash transfer, they give it,” he said. He insisted that a structured system would allow citizens to plan and invest, rather than view cash grants as a political tool.

“We see it as one of the tools that can be used to empower people and give them access to the resources that are really theirs,” Norton added. During the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) campaign in preparation for elections, several senior party figures hinted strongly at cash grants during the Christmas season. President Irfaan Ali told Guyanese, “You’ll have a beautiful Christmas,” while later stating, “If you behave yourself, you get it this year.”

Prime Minister Mark Phillips echoed similar sentiments, saying, “Last year, we paid $100,000 cash grant for every Guyanese 18 years and above. And it didn’t done deh… we ain’t gone pay you less than 100,000 so you figure it out for yourself, more cash grant coming, and it will not be less than $100,000.” Earlier this year, General Secretary of the PPP and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo also suggested that future cash grants would continue if the party secured another term in office.

“You will get your cash grants in the future too,” Jagdeo said while addressing a gathering at Babu Jaan, Corentyne, Berbice, adding, “Just imagine the next term in office how glorious that will be.” However, with less than two weeks remaining before the end of the year, no official announcement on cash grants has been made. In response, the APNU led a protest at the Square of the Revolution, where frustrated citizens demanded that the government fulfill its promises.

However, with less than two weeks remaining before the end of the year, no official announcement on cash grants has been made. In response, the APNU led a protest at the Square of the Revolution, where frustrated citizens demanded that the government fulfill its promises.

The protest saw an angry and vocal crowd holding placards highlighting the rising cost of living. One read, “Eggs are five for $700. Irfaan, we want to eat good tuh.” Another starkly outlined daily financial struggles: “Salary: $105,000. Rent: $65,000. Transport: $20,000. Children to feed. We want our cash grant.”

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APNU, Aubrey Norton, cash grants, handouts

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