Amerindians should be consulted on development – Rohee
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic, Clement Rohee, recently met with villagers from communities in the North and South Rupununi. He noted that there needs to be meaningful consultation between the residents and central government so that the needs of the people can be incorporated in a development plan.
PPP/C General Secretary,
Clement Rohee
The PPP/C’s General Secretary made these remarks during a press conference held last Tuesday at Freedom House.
According to Rohee, Central Lethem has become a ghost town with considerably reduced economic activity. He stated that the state of the community has degraded due to mismanagement by the Municipality and Central Government.
The Member of Parliament said that the Amerindian people are desperately in need of help to develop their respective communities. He presented several initiatives which the government of Guyana can incorporate in order to bring relief to the communities.
Based on his interaction with the villagers it was recommended that there should be the establishment of processing facilities to target the production of cashew nuts, peanut butter, farine, cassava by-products, mango and citrus.
Additionally, Rohee believes that support should be provided for the production of ground coffee, ginger and cocoa processing.
It was highlighted that aquaculture, cattle and other livestock rearing are viable industries which require additional support from government.
On the issue of constructing and reopening airstrips, the MP said that this infrastructure should be available in communities such as Parabara, Karisparu, Kaibarupai, Wayaleng, Arau, Paramakatoi and Nappi.
Further, it was proposed that the road networks in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine should be improved and extended.
Reporting on some of the present problems facing the villagers, Rohee highlighted four factors which have contributed to the destruction of their crops and livestock. These were drought, caterpillars, floods and wild animals.
Rohee stated that the government’s plan to allocate 4000 acres of state land for agriculture and to construct a new airport will come to naught if the wishes of the Amerindian people are not fulfilled.
Last January, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan announced in his budget speech that 4000 acres of state land situated in Region Nine is to be allocated for the purpose of constructing an agricultural station.
The station is to serve as a pilot for the sustainable harvesting of surface water for agriculture in the region.
The land will also be used for the rearing of cattle and small ruminants, aquaculture and planting vegetables.
The Minister said that the government is currently pursuing financing to upgrade many of the hinterland airstrips at Eteringbang, Annai, Paramakatoi, Kurupung, Kato, Kopinang and Monkey Mountain.
