HEYS was launched in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) in October last year
Almost four months have elapsed and Indigenous youths under the $977 million Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme are yet to be given their stipend.
Junior Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister, Valerie Garrido-Lowe explained that the delay in payment could be attributed to a number of issues, including the fact that it was a new initiative, which would therefore not be void of start-up hiccups. She, however, assured that payments would be made by next week.
The beneficiaries are entitled to a monthly stipend of $30,000, but the payment plan stipulates that only $20,000 would be paid and at the end of the yearly programme, recipients would receive the remainder in bulk – $120,000.
Exceptional graduates will also receive cash grants of $50,000 to be used as start-up capital for a business of their choice.
During an interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday, the Minister explained that the programme was rolling out smoothly with the exception of a few minor obstacles.
Cautious not to cast blame on anyone, she indicated that the administrative side of the programme was moving slower than anticipated.
“Like all new programmes, this one has had some teething problems so we are behind time on certain matters. It is administrative within the HEYS Department… I don’t want to place blame on anyone so I prefer to say teething problems,” she stated.
Garrido-Lowe also reminded that some areas were very remote and this may be a contributing factor in the delay of payments.
Some 2000 young adults are benefitting from the HEYS programme which is spread across 106 hinterland communities to date.
Six of the programmes, which were launched in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) in October last year, will soon be concluded and the students will graduate.
The HEYS programme in other communities will wrap up at varying points next year.
The Minister noted that the initiative presented a new opportunity for the young adults to learn a skill and better their chances of gaining employment.
