Preparations for village council elections on track in Region 8 - Minister Sukhai checks on progress
Georgetown, GINA, March 18, 2012
For a number of years the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has been reaching out to Amerindian communities to make interventions that would better their lives and, to listen to their concerns even as it has been pushing that they be integrally involved in their villages' development.
Over the weekend, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai visited two villages in Region 8 – Campbelltown and Micobie and held meetings with residents.
At both villages emphasis was placed on the preparedness of the communities for their village council elections.
A section of the gathering at a community meeting in Campbelltown, Mahdia Region 8.
Minister Sukhai indicated her satisfaction with the progress made, particularly since both villages had completed their nominations and had their voters and candidates' lists strategically displayed.
She recognised that while there will be some amount of competition, everyone must be in support of the selected Village Council.
Minister Sukhai urged that the Council effects its mandate with respect, fairness, reasonableness and address the concerns of the residents.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai interacting with concerned women of Campbelltown, Mahdia, Region 8.
Campbelltown
Minister Sukhai explained her visit to the community has several objectives including the over-seeing of the audit of the village council’s financial records which is catered for in the Amerindian Act. This states that the Minister of Amerindian Affairs may conduct audits. For this year, two villages in every sub-district are randomly selected for such an exercise.
Minister Sukhai was satisfied that the team conducting the audit was able to complete the process in one day with the support of the council.
Micobe, Region 8 residents gathered for a village meeting at the community’s benab
Despite challenges, Minister Sukhai stated that it is expected that every village council would show interest in its financial situation and added that the Amerindian Act also stipulates that every three months the Council must report to the village concerning the health of its finances.
“I am pleased to announce that since December, the component that brings in the most income, that attention has been paid to that component and, that is the potential to get village funds from mining... and our findings are that in December there have been improvements,” she explained.
While development efforts are recognisable in the village, Minister Sukhai expressed her dissatisfaction that the village project, a guest house, is not being managed well. She urged that the construction be speeded up and the residents should assist the current council, as well as the one that will exist after the village council elections.
The Minister urged that when the village council is embarking on a project there must be consensus among members of the community because when there is not agreement by all the level for failure is high.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai interacting with Micobe, Region 8 residents. Also at the head table is the village’s Toshao Julie Singh and staff of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
During the audit process the Village Council presented an inventory of the village’s assets.
She also pointed out that the Council faces a challenge with its accounting system as such it was urged to ensure that receipts for payments are issued.
When money is spent, it must be authorised and documented in the ledger and have current balances, she said.
Micobie meeting
Minister Sukhai urged that the Village’s voters' list be checked by all the residents so as to ensure their names are included.
Elections are important at the national and village levels because it is one of the democratic processes that allows individuals to exercise their right to choose their leaders.
In addition, the Minister noted that since the last visit to the community there has been much development and this is evident from the village’s new benab, the on-going construction of a church and the community’s general advancement.
She added that evidently the work the Village Council has put in to mobilise and organise the residents is paying off and in this regard she expressed appreciation to those who have participated in the community’s development.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and residents browsing the list of voters and candidates lists for upcoming village council elections.
“Village development is not the responsibility of the village council alone, it is the responsibility of every single member of the village,” Minister Sukhai said.
Many villages have challenges mobilising support for community development as people place the responsibility solely on the village leaders however, that is not the case in Micobie.
She encouraged the villagers to continue to develop and expand their community project.
Minister Sukhai acknowledged that while mining is one of the most lucrative ventures in Region Eight, the community needs to diversify and, commended villagers for maintaining the road leading to the community.
The team from the Ministry spent some time with the Micobie Village Council perusing their financial records.
Toshao Julie Singh and several council members going over the financial records with staff of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
Residents of the two communities were able to raise their concerns with the Minister some of which touched on mining, pensions, health, training of more rangers, village boundaries, and controlling acoushi ants.
These village interactions were a part of a joint ministerial visit to the Region with Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud.