Investments in youth discussed at community meetings in Region 8

Residents of several Region Eight communities located in the Pakaraima Mountain Range were afforded the opportunity to engage with Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai who, along with a small team of Ministry and Regional officials visited Paramakatoi, Bamboo Creek and Tuseneng. These communities can be accessed via All Terrain Vehicles.

These interactions are part of the functions of Cabinet members who have been mandated by President Donald Ramotar to meet and interact with Guyanese throughout the country. It has been acknowledged that such interactions give the government insight into the needs of the citizens, and are also an opportunity for Guyanese to contribute in some way to national development.

A resident of Paramakatoi, Region 8 sharing his concern

While at Paramakatoi, Minister Sukhai commended the village for submitting the longest list of youths, in the Region, for the Youth Entrepreneurial and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP). In an effort to give more insight about the project, Minister Sukhai explained to the gathering that it is being implemented by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and supported by the other sister Ministries.

She emphasised that this is not the start of investments in youth, as can be seen in the opportunities presented through education for instance. Over the years there have been some challenges in this area and one such is related to the limited availability of scholarships for indigenous students who re desirous of attending the institutions in Georgetown such as the Technical Institutes, Carnegie School of Home Economics and the Kuru Kuru Training Centre (KKTC).  In this regard, the YAEP presents a good opportunity for those whom the scholarship programme did not capture; especially since the programme (YAEP) reaches more youths.

Residents of Bamboo Creek, Region 8 gathered for a

community meeting

Minister Sukhai also explained that going through the Public Service Ministry for a scholarship, is more competitive hence the importance of the YAEP which empowers youths to give support to the respective village councils, health and education institutions.

While the Minister is pleased that many youths from Region 8 took up the challenge to be a part of the project, she acknowledged that the process of self development may be fast in some instances however, it can also be painful nevertheless success can be achieved. In this regard, the YAEP seeks to ensure youths inculcate a sense of commitment, dedication and responsibility.

She also encouraged the parents to get their children involved in community meetings and other activities so that they can become more aware of their responsibilities with regards to contributing to their villages’ and country’s development.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai presenting

a chain saw to the Village Council of Bamboo Creek, Region 8

During the meetings, residents of each community were given the opportunity to discuss their concerns, state their needs and share suggestions about village development.

Paramakatoi

At Paramakatoi one resident asked about the payments for technicians who were engaged in the installation of the solar panels given to residents through the Hinterland Electrification Programme which falls under the purview of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). In response, Minister Sukhai explained that the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs did all the logistics and the OPM was responsible for the training of, and payment to the technicians.

Another concern raised was that contractors coming from outside of the village do not provide quality work and they hardly ever give jobs to the locals. The residents are of the view that they should be given the contracts since they would be able to do a better job.

Minister Sukhai explained that this is something that the government would be working towards, and recalled that the past President Bharrat Jagdeo had implored the Regional Administrations, across Guyana, to look towards building local capacity so that local people can be given   contracts.

While the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs does not give out contracts, the Minister recalled that in 2012 they were given funds for the construction of three bridges which the Ministry gave to the Village Councils of Kato, Kopinang and Kamana.

Minister Sukhai stressed that the Ministry would be making a case to highlight that there is capability at the local level to take on projects. She also recognised that the Regional Administration of some hinterland Regions have also given contracts to some villages to conduct road works.

The residents also raised the need for funds to build a village office since they are using space in their multi-purpose center which is in need of repairs. The Minister told them that the Ministry usually contributes $1.5M for such projects while the village also has to make a contribution, and advised that they can also put the funds from their 2012 Presidential Grant towards the project.

Bamboo Creek

In a previous meeting, Bamboo Creek residents had made a request for a chain saw which Minister Sukhai presented on this trip to the Village Council and urged that the machine be put to good use.

She also encouraged the council to set up a cost recovery plan which will be put towards the maintenance of the saw. The villagers had also requested two sewing machines for their Women’s Group, and these will be delivered in a few weeks they were told.

Residents at this community wanted clarity about the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). Minister Sukhai explained that it is a simple strategy for Guyana to care and sustainably use its forests, for which the Guyana Forestry Commission is providing oversight while the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission has a role to play as the regulatory body that ensures that mining is done safely and in keeping with international standards.

The Village Council, which has a copy of the LCDS update prepared by the Office of Climate Change was urged to meet and discuss the document after which they can hold informative sessions with the residents. This method will ensure that everyone in the village is more au fait with the LCDS.

The villagers also asked about the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme and were told that the unit is currently looking at 75 indigenous areas where the programme can be implemented.

A request was also made for an ATV for the village’s health post.

Tuseneng

Minister Sukhai took the opportunity to hand over to the Tuseneng Village Council an ATV valued about $2.3M. She also urged the Council to design a cost recovery plan, and also asked to use the vehicle in a responsible manner and to ensure that it is not misused.

One of the issues raised in the meeting was the provision of funding for community projects. Minister Sukhai explained that 27 hinterland communities were selected to receive up to $5M for their Community Development Plans (CDPs) under the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) of the LCDS.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai presenting an

All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) to the Village Council and residents

of Tuseneng, Region 8

In Region 8, villages including Monkey Mountain, Kurukubaru and Karisparu were selected in the first phase, and even though Tuseneng is not included, the Village Council was urged to prepare their plan since within seven to eight months other villages will become involved in the project. The preparation process includes the establishment of a bank account.

Placement of National Grade Six Students (NGSA) at secondary schools in the Region was raised. Students from Tuseneng were offered the option of attending the Sand Creek Secondary school in Region 9, on scholarship, because they were not placed at a school and the Paramakatoi Secondary school is unable to accommodate them due to lack of space.

Minister Sukhai explained that the Sand Creek Secondary School is new and has modern facilities, and most importantly there is available space for them in the dorms. The Minister noted that this arrangement will be in place until the completion of the new school at Kato where scholarships will also be offered. This offer was made to parents of students who wrote the NGSA exams in 2012 and 2013.