‘No need for panic, cash grant portal will remain open’ – Finance Minister

There is no need for panic or urgency in accessing the newly established cash grant portal, as the system will remain open to allow all eligible citizens to complete their registration, Senior Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said.

Speaking during an interview on the National Communications Network (NCN) in Berbice on Thursday evening, Dr Singh urged citizens to remain calm, even as high traffic volumes initially slowed the online system.

“The portal is not going anywhere. It will remain open,” he emphasised, noting that those who were unable to register on their first attempt will have ample opportunity to do so at a later time.

The minister acknowledged that the platform experienced heavy demand shortly after its launch, with tens of thousands of users attempting to access it simultaneously, resulting in delays and temporary access issues for some.

However, he stressed that such challenges are expected during the early stages of large-scale digital rollouts and are being actively addressed by technical teams.

“There is absolutely no reason to worry,” Dr Singh said, encouraging users to try again later if they encounter difficulties. “If you can’t do it today, you can do it tomorrow or the next day.”

Within the first few hours of its launch, the portal, developed by a young team of Guyanese at the National Data Management Authority, recorded thousands of registrations, demonstrating both strong public interest and the system’s capacity to process applications.

Dr Singh also advised users experiencing persistent challenges to report them via the established hotlines, assuring that support teams are in place to resolve all issues.

The portal forms part of the government’s broader rollout of the $100,000 National Cash Grant initiative, announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali and funded through Budget 2026.

Through the platform, eligible citizens can self-register, verify their identity, and submit banking information to receive payments electronically.

While the government is encouraging citizens to use the online system for convenience, the minister reiterated that alternative arrangements will be made for those unable to access the portal or without bank accounts.

He further gave his assurance that no eligible Guyanese will be excluded from receiving the grant due to technical difficulties or delays in registration.

“We are committed to ensuring that every eligible citizen receives their cash grant,” Dr Singh stated.

The government has also indicated that additional support systems, including registration centres and outreach teams, will be deployed nationwide to assist citizens as the rollout continues.