$5.7 billion to fight poverty
Government has several programmes geared at
further reducing poverty in Guyana. These Programmes will cost
a total of $5.7 billion. The money will be utilized over a five-year
period for community-based projects.
These poverty reduction plans were announced in Budget 2003 and
aims to target distressed communities and the poor. Areas targeted
for spending are health, education, roads, drainage and irrigation,
environmental enhancement and waste management.
Some of these funds will be channeled through the Social Impact
Amelioration Programme (SIMAP) 111 and Basic Needs Trust Fund
(BNTF) programs. Some of the projects are the Linden Economic
Advancement project (LEAP), Youth Choice Initiative Programme
and the Amerindian Development Fund.
The Youth Choice Project will benefit from $35M while the Amerindian
Development Fund will receive
$50 M.
The provision of textbooks for primary and secondary schools is
also on the agenda. This will cost over $300 M over the five-year
period. Additionally, schools will receive $100 M for the provision
of basis nutrition for children through a school-feeding programme.
Other locally-funded poverty programmes will also benefit from
$200 M of the budgeted fund.A Rural Community Support Project
will assist to fund micro credit and agricultural extension services
to farmers in Regions Two and Three.
Additionally, services, such as, rehabilitating drainage and irrigation
infrastructure and upgrading public support facilities are included
as part of the drive to reduce poverty in Guyana. Guyana’s
current poverty rate is around 35 to 40 percent. This rate was
double this amount ten years ago, averaging over 80 percent.
In addition to the above-mentioned programmes, Guyana's drive
to reduce poverty is complemented by the implementation of the
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). The PRSP which was drafted
over two years ago, is a blue print for poverty reduction in Guyana
and has been subject to nationwide consultations.
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Thursday,
July 17, 2003