IN response to allegations by APNU the Amerindian Affairs Ministry made a startling revelation which most Guyanese probably were unaware of. That is, Amerindians with a population of about 9.1% own 14.1% of the lands including the forests resources within their Titled Lands, making them the largest land owners in Guyana.
So it is definitely clear that this government has not been displacing Amerindians from their lands.
Instead it has been granting them rights to their lands through a titling and demarcation process which began several years ago.
On this note, the Ministry pointed out that the present PPP/C administration had “never displaced any Amerindian or group of Amerindians, and will continue to protect Amerindians’ right to their land”.
It alluded to the unprecedented granting of titles and demarcation grants as full proof of the administration’s sincere and firm commitment towards this cause.
It is indeed mind boggling how some people could attempt to belittle and distort the work done by this government to improve all facets of our indigenous people.
APNU would do well to recall and reflect on how Amerindians were maltreated by its main partner when it was in government for nearly three decades. In fact, Amerindians were regarded as third class citizens and felt so marginalised and neglected that it sparked an uprising in the Rupununi.
Whether this uprising was right or wrong is debatable, but the fact is that it was an expression of the horrible treatment that was meted out to Amerindians under the PNC government.
Of course the army and police were used to crush the uprising but there was never any real inquiry to determine the true cause of the uprising and whether more than enough force was used.
In fact, there have been serious allegations of extreme brutality against the indigenous people by the security forces and even charges of rape of the womenfolk during the crushing of the uprising.
This has been denied by officialdom but without a proper inquiry the allegations of brutality would remain hanging.
However, this is only one incident but overall development in Amerindian communities was virtually zero under the PNC government.
Under this government it would be foolish to claim that all the problems and issues affecting our indigenous people have been wished away by a magic wand as there are obviously still several existing problems.
However, it would be equally foolish and dishonest not to acknowledge the tremendous development and advancements in Amerindian communities that have taken place under the current government.
According to the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, it has embarked on a Secure Livelihoods Project in selected Amerindian Villages to stir economic development in these villages through enterprise development.
Using vertical integration as a core strategy, value added products from agriculture and aquaculture enterprises with an initial support of $110M for example in Region 1.
Strengthening the village economy and community development through the Presidential Grant Programme has improved the capacity building in implementation and management of small economic and social projects.
To date a total $460M has been released for 2007–2009.
The commitment for 2010-2011 amounts to $353M.
All villages are enjoined to come up with their own community village plans, and have the power to manage their own fiduciary concerns.
All benefits taken from the natural resources of Amerindian Villages trickle down to social services initiated by the community itself. For instance, logging concessionaires must pay royalties to the Village Council.
So those who are claiming that they will become saviours of Amerindians are clearly out of touch with reality and a clear indication that they are not in contact with the grassroot people or else they would not have been living in such an illusion.