$250 million spent this year to push opportunities at the community level

The government expended almost $250 million this year to increase employment opportunities at the community level through the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) initiative, the Department of Public Information (DPI) has reported.

Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally told DPI that Guyanese of all ages have benefitted from the project. She said more than 150 co-operatives comprising women and youths were among the beneficiaries.

“I can proudly tell you that these people who have benefitted from this project, are loud in praise for this government for what they have achieved in this short time of training,” Ally stated.

The Minister noted that it was under the SLED initiative that some residents in Region 9 were able to start small businesses in the agriculture sector. Scores of women in that region also received home economics training under SLED.

“We hope that consideration will be given in 2020 for this ministry to receive more monies for the programme, to widen and bridge the gap between the coast and hinterland, and to empower additional citizens,” Min. Ally said.

She added that there were also significant investments in the ministry’s Difficult Circumstances Unit which allowed “thousands of individuals” to earn and provide for their families.

“With this department, even students were helped to pay their school fees. We can’t pay all the students fee, but we examine the situation, then make a decision,” she disclosed.