CSOs’ stipend increased to $40,000

…as Govt commits to Indigenous development

Effective immediately, Amerindian community leaders and community development council leaders will now earn a monthly increased stipend of $40,000.
This follows an announcement made by President Irfaan Ali during his address on Sunday at the Amerindian Cultural Extravaganza 2024 held in the National Park, Georgetown.
Taking it a step further, Ali also disclosed that government will increase the monthly stipend for Community Service Officers (CSOs) in the various Amerindian villages across the country from $30,000 to $40,000.
The means Amerindian community leaders, community development council leaders and CSOs are now on par with the part-time workers employed by the government.
“This will release tens of millions of dollars, again additional money into the community but more importantly it will let these leaders know that we value their service, that we recognize their service, that we acknowledge their service”.
“As we move forward, I want to assure our indigenous brothers and sisters that the plan of your government- the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government is to ensure that we build prosperity in every home. And this prosperity that we want to build must also be built in your homes and in your communities,” President Ali reassured.
The Community Service Officers programme was reinstated by the government in 2020, employing nearly 2700 Community CSOs and injecting over $1. 2 billion annually into the economy.
On the other hand, the part-time jobs initiative was implemented by the Office of the Vice President in 2022, and the ministry was given $10 billion to advance the programme.
Overall, government has expended more than $60 billion to execute various transformative and innovative projects in the hinterland regions.
Among these developmental projects include the construction of educational and health facilities, several telemedicine sites, agro-processing facilities, tractors and trailers, distribution of the education cash grant and textbooks, and improved access to potable water.
President Ali highlighted that these investments are now reflecting in the various disciplines and reaffirmed that the government is accountable and would keep executing the necessary actions to improve Indigenous people’s quality of life.
“Today we have Amerindian doctors, we have more Amerindian brothers and sisters doing medicine, doing engineering and teaching. When I was in one of villages recently, the Toshao said Mister President, I didn’t hear you say pilots and aeronautical engineers and I said yes, we are going bring those who are interested and we will provide the training because we want you to be in every field,” the Guyanese Leader said.
Further, The Head of state indicated that under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government work will also continue to preserve the indigenous culture and way of life.
“We know that you a strong and sustainable future and part of that future is your cultural heritage. One of the most important things that we must do is love our identity and believe in who we are. We don’t have to be different, what we have to do is utilize the opportunity to be the best we can be,” he added. (G1)