Development expected to continue at St Cuthbert’s – as Gov’t provides transportation boost

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai along with Liaison to her Ministry, Yvonne Pearson today visited St Cuthbert’s Mission, Region 4, where the keys of a new Hilux pick-up valued $5M were handed over to Toshao, Luke Simon for the  community’s benefit.

Government’s commitment to invest in the lives of the indigenous people is being realised through a variety of ways, one of which is the provision of transportation.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai handing

over the keys of the Hilux pick-up to Toshao of St

Cuthbert’s Mission, Luke Simon during a visit to

the community

The vehicle will be used in case of emergencies, for agricultural purposes, to aid the community’s tourism drive, and transport pensioners to uplift their pensions, among others.

Minister Sukhai enlightened residents on some of the developments in and around the country, especially in the hinterland areas. She said that despite some challenges at the level of Parliament, the Amerindian Affairs Ministry was able to procure the vehicle and urged that they maintain and use it to further develop the community.

The Hilux pick-up that was presented to St Cuthbert’s

Mission

A committee has been established to ensure proper management of the vehicle. Minister Sukhai explained that the village council is responsible for the governance of the affairs of the village, to administer, manage, and ensure that the community’s development pathway is cleared and mobilise the level of support within the community to further advance the community.

Even as the council has the responsibility to manage the use and maintenance of the vehicle, its members also have a role to play in making certain that the appropriate rate is set in order to pay a driver and purchase fuel and parts when needed, she stated.

Secondary school students of St Cuthbert’s Mission

“…we need to be very cognisant of this reality, that it is us who have to play that major role in acquiring the development, success, and goal that we want,” Minister Sukhai told the residents.

She noted that the committee can serve as an oversight body, but the ministry will hold the council accountable for the vehicle.

Some of those gathered at the St Cuthbert’s Mission

benab to witness the handover of a pick-up to their

village

Minister Sukhai added that often times community members do not show appreciation and abuse the investments made by Government to improve their lives. “There we are as a Government trying to meet the demands of the people, trying to spread the limited resources that this country to ensure that development continues to move apace and there you have communities and people who have no appreciation of these investments,” she said.

Toshao Simon said the vehicle has come at a time when the community is at its peak of development and also shows government’s interest in the village’s development. The Toshao stated that the pick-up will be maintained and put to good use.

St Cuthbert’s Mission residents with Minister of Amerindian

Affairs Pauline Sukhai

During the recent National Toshaos Conference (NTC), Manawarin village which is located in Region One received a tractor and trailer, while Mountain Foot, Region Eight received one All Terrain Vehicle and radio set, Santa Aratak, Region Three received a brush cutter, and Siparuta, Region Six received a chain saw, all of which will be used for the benefit of the respective communities.