Georgetown: Guyana is among eight countries that stand to benefit from the multimillion-dollar grant in the form of aid pledged by the United Kingdom as it seeks to re-engage and strengthen its relations with the Caribbean.
With this grant, the UK has become one of the largest bilateral donors to the Region. However, the Commonwealth Caribbean including Guyana will be benefiting from some $550M. Other countries eligible for the grant include: Jamaica, Grenada, Dominica, Belize, St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
This pledge was made by British Prime Minister David Cameron during his recent visit to Jamaica, with the aim of reinvigorating the relationship between the UK and Caribbean countries that are strained from colonial ruling.
Speaking about the programme on Friday during a media briefing at his residence, British High Commission to Guyana Greg Quinn detailed the areas where the monies will be plugged. He noted that the major focus of the funding will be on infrastructural works including bridges, ports and roads, something which is high on Guyana’s agenda.
The High Commissioner said some $450 million of grant will be directed towards this aspect. In addition, he outlined that the British Prime Minister also announced some $45 million to be plugged into improving healthcare facilities as well as another similar amount to boost economic growth in the benefiting countries.
Quinn emphasised that the money is not a loan as such so it will not have to be repaid. The High Commissioner noted that the monies will be given to the various Governments to be injected into projects agreed upon. He added that within the next six months, the UK will be working along with the various Caribbean Heads to identify and establish their respective projects.
The High Commissioner further detailed that the funds will be deposited at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), which will be monitoring the programme in collaboration with the UK Government. However, Quinn could not say at this time how much of the grant will be disbursed to Guyana. He explained that the UK is yet to allocate any specific amount to the benefitting countries.
“The plan is that they (Caribbean Governments) will seek to bid for specific activity (projects) and then they will be looked at in the whole, but certainly, there is an expectation that of that £360 or $550 million, a significant portion will go to each of the individual countries,” he noted.
Quinn added that while no specific amount was allocated to any of the eight countries, the expectation is the monies will be disbursed evenly among them. However, he did note that the determination of the allocated amount will also be dependent on the nature of the project and requests submitted. Additionally, he outlined that there is no requirements for the eligible countries to use contracting companies from the UK to carry out the projects selected.
Moreover, the High Commissioner opined that in Guyana there is also infrastructural projects that can benefit from the grant. He pointed to airstrips, bridges such as the Demerara Harbour Bridge, roadways.
“I know there is lots of areas where it would obviously fall within the interest of Government here but I think whenever we get to the time of seeking specific requests, we’ll look to Government to prioritise what they want rather than me saying or anybody else saying we want you to spend on this. The whole purpose of the fund is actually to use it to do what the Government itself actually wants,” he explained.
In addition, High Commissioner Quinn highlighted that the British Prime Minister also announced an increase in the Chevening Scholarship Scheme, which will now see some 20 students benefitting as opposed to 12 as seen this year.
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