Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday announced a series of transformative initiatives aimed at accelerating development in Guyana’s Amerindian and hinterland communities, including $2.5 billion in new funding under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, a significant increase in community procurement limits, and the rollout of a nationwide digital financial inclusion programme.
The announcements were made during the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where the Vice President outlined the Government’s plans to deepen economic opportunities, strengthen infrastructure, and improve access to financial services in Indigenous villages.
$2.5 Billion More for Amerindian Villages
Dr. Jagdeo announced that Amerindian communities will receive an additional $2.5 billion this year through the LCDS 2030, bringing the total amount disbursed under the programme to $16.9 billion since its inception.
The funding will support sustainable development projects in more than 240 Amerindian villages, financing initiatives chosen and managed by the communities themselves.
Under the LCDS framework, 15 per cent of all revenue earned from Guyana’s carbon credit programme is allocated directly to Indigenous and hinterland communities, ensuring that village leaders determine how the funds are invested based on their own development priorities.
The additional financing is expected to fund a wide range of projects, including improvements to community infrastructure, housing, economic ventures, education, healthcare, agriculture, and other social programmes that will enhance the quality of life for residents.
Dr. Jagdeo said the initiative remains one of the strongest examples of Indigenous participation in climate financing, allowing communities to become active partners in Guyana’s low-carbon development while preserving the country’s forests.
Procurement Limit Increased Six-Fold
In another major announcement, the Vice President revealed that the Government will increase the maximum value of contracts that can be awarded directly to villages and communities from $5 million to $30 million.
The measure is intended to give Amerindian communities greater control over development projects while creating more employment and business opportunities within their villages.
“We will raise the limit at the tender board for communities from $5 million to $30 million. We will get this done before you leave, so that we can give to the village a contract of up to $30 million. In the past, it could have only been $5 million. That will change significantly the level of community participation,” Dr. Jagdeo told the gathering.
The announcement came as he discussed the Government’s $10 billion allocation for hinterland road development this year.
Among the major infrastructure projects already underway or planned are the continued construction of the Moruca to Kwebanna road in Region One, improvements to the Mabaruma to Wauna corridor, and upgrades to key road networks across Region Nine.
The increased procurement threshold will allow villages to execute larger portions of government-funded projects themselves, keeping more economic benefits within their communities.
Digital Banking to Transform Hinterland Communities
Dr. Jagdeo also unveiled plans for a new digital payment and financial inclusion system designed to revolutionise banking services in Guyana’s hinterland.
The initiative, being developed in partnership with local financial institutions and an Indian technology provider, will allow residents to conduct transactions using QR codes linked directly to their bank accounts through mobile phones.
The system is modelled after India’s highly successful digital payments platform, which serves more than 1.4 billion people.
Under the programme, residents will be able to open bank accounts, receive government payments, access loans, transfer money, and make purchases electronically without having to travel long distances to access banking facilities.
“This will be a game changer for people who live in the hinterland. You can do everything through your bank account,” Dr. Jagdeo said.
Government grants and other payments will be deposited directly into beneficiaries’ accounts, while businesses and vendors in hinterland communities will also be equipped to accept QR code payments.
The Vice President noted that the initiative builds on the Government’s ongoing expansion of internet connectivity across the hinterland, pointing out that many communities already have access to Starlink internet services while additional efforts are underway to improve digital access nationwide.
Driving Inclusive Development
The package of announcements underscores the Government’s continued focus on ensuring that Amerindian communities remain central to Guyana’s national development agenda.
By expanding climate financing, empowering villages to undertake larger public projects, improving transportation infrastructure, and introducing modern digital financial services, the administration aims to create greater economic opportunities while improving living standards across Guyana’s hinterland.
The initiatives also reinforce the Government’s commitment to inclusive development by ensuring that Indigenous communities play a leading role in shaping their own future through increased funding, greater decision-making authority, and improved access to modern technology and financial services.