COVID Cash Grant sailing smoothly in Region Four – REO Persaud

A SENIOR Regional functionary has praised the efficiency of distribution teams sharing the
$25,000 COVID cash grants per household on the East Coast and East Bank corridors.
Mr. Deryck Persaud, Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four)
told www.aroundtheregions.com that the operations are proceeding “smoothly”
President Irfaan Ali in September announced the financial package to help households cushion
economic hardships as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic which has killed more than
150 Guyanese and wreaked untold other adversities.
The government explained that the relief measure is designed to bring immediate relief to
persons hardest hit by the contagious and deadly virus, first detected in Wuhan, China and spread
rapidly around the world. It is hoped that the financial initiative rolled out four months ago will
help stimulate economic growth, put Guyanese back to work, and soften the impact of existing
tax measures faced by workers.

For many ordinary Guyanese, the cash grant has served as a timely economic impetus and has
helped spur some activities in the business sector. Small business in many communities have
seen some spikes in purchases from grateful beneficiaries of the windfall.
“So far everything is moving smoothly as there is no issue or any major challenges facing the
distribution teams and I am very pleased that we are going through this process very quickly,”
Persaud said.
In the exclusive with www.aroundtheregions.com, the REO clarified some misconceptions
circulating nationally about the government grant.
“We know that some households are large, and, in some cases, more than one family may be
living in a household. However, where such situation exists, the Distribution Clerks and
Regional Supervisors are required to note such instances so that those families can be taken into
consideration in the future,” Persaud explained.

In Region Four, the most populated of the 10 Administrative Regions, Deoraj Nauth managed
operations on the East Coast, while Nafeeza Rodriques overlook the East Bank corridor.
“These two are ensuring that everything is done properly and smoothly as we are determined to
complete this process in the shortest possible time,” Persaud said.
Under the arrangement, Regional Distribution teams issue the grants to the primary householder,
and, wherever there are OTHER family members or tenants, those persons are issued with a
‘pink’ form, which will serve as the verification instrument for future consideration.
A government release said the names, addresses and other contact information of those who were
absent when the teams visited will be compiled and arrangements made for them to collect their
grants subsequently.
Further, the REO reiterated that the primary householders are required to show a valid form of
identification, either a Guyanese identification card, a valid driver’s licence, or a valid passport
before receiving the grant.
“The clerks and those persons working on this initiative are working very hard every day as we
seek to complete this process as Government remains dedicated and committed to ensuring that
every household gets the required promised monies,” the REO said.
There is no requirement for pre-registration for the Grant and Persaud cautioned households to
be on the lookout for fake distributors. Those authorised by the State will be wearing their
COVID-19 identification badges.
Only government-authorised persons can distribute the cash grant and THERE IS NO
REGISTRATION FEE the REO confirmed.