Fourteen small business owners in Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, have been compensated under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP)—Livelihood Restoration Plan.
The persons, who are deemed Project Affected Persons (PAPs), all operated businesses which were affected financially as a result of infrastructure works in their community. Today’s disbursement stood at approximately M $2.5.
During a simple ceremony earlier today at the Ministry’s Brickdam Headquarters, the PAPs were presented with their cheques for their cash entitlement. On hand for the presentation were the Housing and Water Minister, the Hon. Collin Croal, Minister within the Ministry, the Hon. Susan Rodrigues, Permanent Secretary, Mr. Bishram Kuppen and Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Mr. Sherwyn Greaves.
On the occasion, Minister Rodrigues noted her satisfaction with this component of the AHUAP, noting its importance in the overall rollout of the programme.
The Minister alluded to the fact that all components of this programme cater to the most vulnerable groups and have been meeting the intended target groups. She added that this component of the programme should never be overshadowed by the infrastructure development that is simultaneously taking place.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Minister Croal, who urged the business owners to make the best of their entitlements and, more importantly, the training which will be offered to them. He noted that the 14 persons will be benefiting from training in the areas of; Entrepreneurial Awareness, Financial Management and Record Keeping, Small Business Development and Taxation and Business Regularization. The training will be facilitated by the Small Business Bureau and the Guyana Revenue Authority.
“Giving the cheques will indeed help you to further your business, however, the training will aid you in doing so in a more sustainable way and it will help you in better managing your finances”.
Mention was also made of the $ 3 B investment made in the West Bank of Demerara area under the programme, which included upgrading of community roads, and drainage.
The Livelihood Restoration Plan falls under Component 1.2: Consolidation of Existing Schemes of the AHUAP.
The aim is to maximize the likelihood of ensuring that any individuals economically displaced by the Programme activities have their socio-economic conditions re-established or improved and that the implementation of the LRP itself is undertaken in a transparent, consistent, and equitable manner.