Small business owners receive cash entitlement through LRP

Some seven small business owners who have been affected by infrastructure works ongoing along the East Bank Demerara corridor have received cash entitlements under the Livelihood Restoration Programme (LRP) which forms part of the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP).
These project-affected persons (PAPs) were presented with their cheques on Tuesday in the Housing and Water Ministry’s boardroom.

The Livelihood Restoration Programme (LRP) is designed to ensure that individuals economically displaced by programme activities have their socio-economic conditions restored or improved.
During the disbursement, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal emphasized the programme’s commitment to supporting those affected by development works, and highlighted Government’s focus on improving the lives of citizens through targeted policies and initiatives.
Urging these recipients to make wise use of the funds received, Minister Croal said, “It is initiatives like this that will help you go a long way, and I want to ask you to utilize your resources as maximally as possible in terms of investing further or expanding.”
In addition to the cash entitlements, the seven beneficiaries would soon receive training in key areas, including Entrepreneurial Awareness, Financial Management and Record Keeping, Small Business Development, and Taxation and Business Regularization.
Through AHUAP, the Ministry of Housing and Water has completed several major infrastructural projects on the East Bank of Demerara, valued at over $950 million. These works include the upgrade of 8.34km of roads, the construction of 2043km of reinforced concrete drains and sidewalks, and the installation of concrete sidewalks (600mm – 6) in areas such as Covent Garden, Farm Phases 1 and 2, Herstelling, Providence Phase 2 (North and South), Peter’s Hall, and Perseverance.
Funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), AHUAP aims to improve the quality of life of low-income populations in urban and peri-urban Georgetown by providing better access to adequate housing, basic infrastructure, and improved mobility services.
Key initiatives under AHUAP include Core Home Support, which provides low-income families with starter homes; and the Home Improvement Subsidy, designed to assist families to upgrade their homes to improve their living standards.