Gov’t recognises Amerindians’ contributions to national development – Minister Edghill - tells Region One residents during outreach
May 20, 2013, by , Georgetown, GINA, Source
Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill recent on Sunday concluded a three-day outreach in Region One; visiting communities such as: Mabaruma, Hobodia, Hotoquai, Sacred Heart, Three Brothers, Arukamai, and St. Dominic.
During the community meetings, the Minister updated the residents on current issues being played out in the political arena, discussed matters relevant to their development, and also afforded them the opportunity to raise their concerns and offer suggestions on the way forward.
Minister Edghill said that the PPP/C Government recognises fully, and is appreciative of the contributions of indigenous peoples to national development.
Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill being greeted by students in Region One.
He explained that the Administration has been striving to put in place strategic policies that are aimed at transforming living standards at the village level by enabling residents to move away from mere subsistence economic activities to large-scale production.
“We want communities to become economically viable…and we are working to ensure that this kind of development is not confined to the coast, but it must also reach the hinterland, especially those far-flung regions…we view you as valuable partners in the development of Guyana,” he said.
The country as a whole, he said, has come a far way. The national economy has witnessed seven consecutive years of positive growth averaging five percent and is now in the list of countries that has one of the most stable economies in Latin America and the Caribbean. Next year, the economy is projected to grow by six percent, the second highest in South America.
He said that as citizens prepare to celebrate the country’s 47th anniversary as an independent nation; much has been achieved for which they should all be proud. Nevertheless, he said that the Government fully acknowledges that there is still much more that needs to be done, and is committed to ensuring that all the developmental goals are met.
“We still have a far way to go, but while we are not there yet, we are not where we used to be, and we are continuously moving ahead,” Minister Edghill posited.
Residents of Hobadia Village, Region One during a community meeting with Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill.
The Minister took the opportunity to inform residents about the recently passed 2013 national budget, detailing some of the transformative projects that it catered. He told residents about the $31B Opposition-imposed cuts to the $208.8B budget.
Some of the areas in which funds were reduced go to the heart of Amerindian development, such as the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). The $20B allocated to the strategy in this year’s budget, was reduced to $1B after the opposition political parties used their one seat majority to cut $19B from the strategy.
This $20B allocation was earmarked for the titling and demarcation of more Amerindian lands, institution strengthening, the Amerindian Development Fund, micro and small enterprise development and other projects aimed at raise the living standards of Guyana’s indigenous peoples. Under the LCDS programme, the sum of US$80M was also allocated to fund Guyana’s equity contribution to Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.
The Opposition also cut the budget of the Public Works Ministry’s transport programme, which included the rehabilitation of several hinterland airstrips in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.
Minister Edghill said that, “here it is that the Government is seeking to bring more development to you the citizens, and the Opposition with its 33 seat in Parliament is blocking it…but this Government is going to pursue every legal avenue to reverse the cuts.”
He described the Opposition’s actions as “vindictive, unreasonable, and reckless” and assured residents that the PPP/C Administration will do all within its power to deliver on all of the promises that were made in its 2011 manifesto.
Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill interacting with residents of Hotoquai, Region One
He said the Government is for all the people of Guyana, and assured that the country’s future is secure with the PPP/C Administration.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairman, Paul Pierre spoke of the developments that Region One has been witnessing over the past few years, particularly in the areas of health, education and road infrastructure.
He pointed out that the community of Baramita, which only a few years ago, was deemed as one of the most underdeveloped in Region One, today has all basic amenities including a school, health center, airstrip and road linkages. Today, people can travel in taxis from Port Kaituma all the way to Baramita.
This year, a hospital will be constructed at Port Kaituma to ease the burden on the one at Mabaruma. Meanwhile, there has been a lot of development at the Mabaruma Hospital, where surgeries are conducted. It also has an improved eye care unit and modern equipment to conduct tests for tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS among other diseases.
Residents are calling for more trained teachers in the Region and Minister Edghill assured that he will discuss their concerns with the relevant subject minister in this regard. At present, about 51 percent of the teachers in Region One are trained compared to 30 percent three to four years ago.