Toshao rejects President’s visit due to “short notice”
- cites Amerindian Act Head of State, President Donald Ramotar had to abort a campaign visit to a Region Nine Amerindian village last Monday when he was reportedly refused entry by the village Council. According to information, Moco Moco village
Toshao, Mark George, turned down the President’s visit after “short notice” was given to the Council. The country’s Amerindian Act 2006 permits that once a person is not travelling on official business for the government, they must then seek the permission of the village Council for a visit. However, since President Ramotar was on campaign business for the upcoming General and Regional Elections, he had to seek permission to enter the Amerindian community. Toshao George told the media that he had received a call from the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP)’s campaign organizer in that region around 10:00 hours on Sunday, explaining that the President wished to visit the community the very next day. George said that he informed the campaign organizer that the visit to the village was given at short notice and no official notice or letter was dispatched to the Council. The Amerindian Act, he confirmed, clearly states that one week must be given for the visit to be approved. The Toshao further explained that he had opted for the President to visit at a later date, but no date had been set aside. He said in the case of the President, the Council would have attempted to speed up preparations for his visit. George said he was very concerned about being unable to allow the President entry into the village, but reiterated the content of the Act. The village leader said he intends to write the President to seek a way for his accommodation. With elections nearing, the contesting parties are moving into the Amerindian villages to spread their campaign information. The votes of the country’s indigenous communities are pivotal to those vying for administrative positions, particularly for the Presidency.