Government’s economic policies have paid off in not only increasing Guyana’s wealth, but in the pace being set for the inclusion of Amerindians in many areas, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai said during her 2013 Budget Debate last Friday.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai speaking in the National Assembly last Friday.
The minister wasted little time in refuting some of the claims made by several opposition members against her ministry. The claim by APNU member Dawn Hastings that the National Toshaos Council (NTC) was being controlled by government was rebuffed by Minister Sukhai. Government recognises the profound role of the NTC, she said: “We recognise that this council of elected leaders is working together to strengthen the structure and build capacity to carry out its function.” The NTC has been unable to raise monies through fundraising and due to many village councils not paying their subscription rates; the decision has been taken to pay an annual contribution for the body’s operational expenses but exerts no power or pressure on their membership, the minister explained. This support is nothing new, as the ministry also assists other indigenous institutions, she added. She also quashed claims that the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission (IPC) was being unduly influenced as they have presented to the House financial reports since their establishment two years ago. She noted that the IPC, the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) and the Bina Hill Institute are all funded through government’s interventions. “In 2012, the Government of Guyana was the largest contributor to the Bina Hill Institute and the NRDDB, paying in excess of $21M. The Honourable Sydney Allicock is well aware of this, of which more than 81% of the $21M goes towards the salary of the CEO of NRDDB, Principal of the Bina Hill Institute, tutors and support staff.” This support is viewed as necessary, according to the minister, as it will help to build capacity and to improve the lives of Amerindians. “The freedom is ours Mr. Speaker to engage with the people, whether at the village level with the elected leaders, their institutions or the individuals who ….require our support so as to enhance livelihoods and to continue the development of their villages,” the minister said. The intent of indigenous representatives such as APNU’s Sydney Allicock to deny funding for crucial projects for Amerindians was disturbing, Minister Sukhai added. “How does he expect to see improvements in a sector he critically reviewed in his presentation? Why would he want to deny the Rupununi, the Amerindians, the nation at large governmental funded interventions aimed at complementing the efforts of the people across this nation?” She also took umbrage at MP Allicock’s description that the Rupununi was the most backward in the Caribbean, saying that as a member of the Tourism Association of Guyana, a body which seeks to encourage tourists to visit, he appears to be working against the objective of that group, the objectives of Amerindian development and the region and the nation.
Largest land owners Government is aware of the challenges of correcting the wrongs done over the years to indigenous peoples and has no problems in putting measures in place to promote their rights, Minister Sukhai said. The government has legislated and borne the cost of titling Amerindian villages and with 98 villages so demarcated, Amerindians are now the largest land owners in Guyana. The Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) will see Amerindians benefitting from $135M to fund various projects. These will see villages embarking on a variety of economic activities which will further improve the standard of living of residents. These and other projects are as a result of widespread consultations throughout the communities. She listed the schools built over the last few years, particularly in areas that had none and noted that interventions to solve challenges posed by the inadequate transportation have cost government more than $150M thus far. Budget 2013 provides for over $1B in interventions to continue the focus on hinterland development and to enable the integration of Amerindians in the mainstream of society. Government in continuing its efforts to advance the development of the Amerindian communities has budgeted $77.9M toward the Land Titling and Demarcation Programme, “with a view to completing the titling of all eligible villages by the end of the year,” she said. The budget also provides for $350M to commence the implementation in 2013 of 180 Community Development Plans which are aimed at generating the economy of the Amerindian communities. The sum of $66M has also been budgeted to provide for continuation of the Hinterland Scholarship Programme, which will benefit 388 students. In addition, a sum of $200M has been allocated to support the implementation of a new Amerindian youth entrepreneurship and apprenticeship training scheme, and a further $500M to roll out the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) initiative to Amerindian villages. Importantly, communities will also benefit from other allocations to the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs which will cater for, among others, transportation interventions. (GINA)
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