A Partnership for National Unity/People’s National Congress (APNU/PNC) went up in arms when President Ramotar had cause to point out that between 1964-1992 whilst in government it did practically nothing for the Amerindian people. The party and its mouth pieces were at pains to point to the contrary. We however, can only attribute their barefaced attempts to their contempt for Amerindians who, they obviously believe, should’ve been satisfied with whatever crumbs fell off the PNC table back then.
As far as the lot of the Amerindians in those long 28 years, the PNC can spout nonsense about all sorts of “projects” they initiated in the hinterland. The proof of the paiwari is in the drinking. And the pathetic bottom line is that the Household Income and Expenditure Survey of 1993 (right after the infamous 28 years) proved that the economic and social conditions of Amerindians had deteriorated far below those of 1964. To say that this is what happened to the rest of the population also is of no comfort. The poverty of Amerindians – extending to 100 per cent in several communities – had increased in absolute terms.
