As part of the Government’s mandate to reach out to the grass roots, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, Permanent Secretary of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry Collin Croal, and other members of the Ministry and Regional Administration recently interacted with residents of Parikwarunawa, Region Nine, to ascertain their needs.
Residents were generally satisfied with the services provided by the government, particularly the presidential grants which they are using to develop their communities.
Toshao of Parikwarunawa, Mc Kenzie John Daniels, said that the 45 solar panels given to the community by government have benefitted residents, particularly students, since they now have electricity to study at night.
He also pointed out that the school uniform and feeding programmes that government has implemented to increase school attendance have been successful.
However, residents complained about the migration of youths from the Region in search of jobs.
Minister Sukhai addressed the issue as she referred to the previous generation who provided a livelihood for their families without most of the resources available at present, and questioned the capability of the current generation to which many new resources are now available.
“Here, the Amerindians own their own land, they own the forest and they own the resources that may be found within the forest.”
She said that it is expected that some people will migrate, as there is mobility in a population; however, “if you knew you needed a priority project to address the needs and activities to keep the youths, then it should have been reflected in the Community Development Plan (CDP), as the government is ready to commit and take the projects through,” Minister asserted.
On another note, Minister Sukhai urged residents to use their titled lands as a resource to assist and ensure food security.
She noted that by next year, government will be able to complement the $1M that hinterland communities acquire yearly with an additional sum to fund any vision incorporated in the CDP, and urged the village councils and residents to take responsibility for the development of their community as it will benefit them as well as their families.
“We are living in a country where democracy is being strengthened, where people can participate freely in any activity. It is our time and we must be able to take advantage of a government that is providing the type of environment where the people take development into their own hands,” Minister Sukhai emphasised.

Minister Sukhai observed that over the next five years, the people of the community will be benefitting from $25M and she urged persons to cooperate and invest in projects that will be fruitful, create employment, and further contribute to the community’s development.
She also noted that the Ministry of Agriculture will be deploying another veterinarian as well as three extension officers to the region to improve services.
Minister Sukhai emphasised that government is partnering with parents to supply school uniforms and provide meals to increase attendance of children in schools, as education is vital to the future of the country.
Persons involved in sewing the uniforms will be reimbursed for their efforts as they will be given $300 per piece of clothing sewn.
All the necessary materials for sewing the uniforms have been provided to the community, including zippers, buttons, elastic, needles, thread, scissors and measuring tapes.
“There should be no excuse for not sending our children to school, as government has made a commitment to our people, as it will be providing primary education to everyone across the country and will continue to ensure that the commitment is met,” she said. (GINA)