…Prime Minister tells Region Nine Toshaos

THE second annual Regional Toshaos’ Conference opened on Thursday amid calls from Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who is performing the functions of President, for Toshaos and other village leaders to capitalise on every opportunity available to further develop the Rupununi.

Speaking to recently elected village leaders at the Indigenous Peoples’ Conference Hall, Lethem, the Prime Minister debunked allegations made by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) member Pauline Sukhai, that there has been “progressive neglect” of the hinterland regions.

Nagamootoo made it clear, that since taking office his government has invested heavily in the lives of the country’s indigenous population and pointed to some $782M being allocated to the region through Presidential grants and other means for development.
“I anticipated we’d have allegations that there are no developments taking place in your beautiful region. It is a work in progress but it also tells you the Rupununi is rising and rising again,” said the Prime Minister who has responsibility for the country’s communication sector.

He reminded the gathering of Toshaos and village leaders that since taking office in May 2015, his coalition government has commissioned several radio stations, including Radio Lethem and Aishalton. He noted too that the Rupununi is connected to the rest of the country through the Voice of Guyana (VOG), something the people of Region Nine ought to be proud of. Nagamootoo disclosed that in presidential grants alone, some $243.6M has been budgeted for. He said too that 57 villages are benefitting from $57.8M. “There has been no progressive level of neglect…it is not true,” the Prime Minister said in response to former Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, who was accompanied by Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and Member of Parliament Allister Charlie.
“There is always support for villages but Toshaos must come up with plans for projects in their villages,” he stated, while adding that going forward the indigenous leaders must modernise their approach to leadership.

He charged the gathering of leaders to be equipped with the technological advancements so that they too can be on par with the rest of the country and further afield. Nagamootoo disclosed that several information technology hubs have been established by the Ministry of Public Telecommunications across Region Nine and urged that they be utilised. Teachers have also been provided with laptops to better enhance their teaching methods.
“Within the last three years government has not only commissioned Radio Lethem, but Aishalton, Mabaruma, Bartica, Orealla— our people in the hinterland have a voice for the first time in history,” said the prime minister, who added that there must be a desire to expand the capacity of Rupununi villages to expand beyond where they are today.
“You need to go beyond cassava bread, farine and cassareep…and move into agro processing,” he said, while referencing the community of Santa Fe and its successes. “We can do better than we have been doing,” Nagamootoo declared as many Toshaos nodded their heads.

He like, Regional Chairman Brian Allicock, noted that Region Nine is becoming a model region and is leading the way in development. “The ground work is being created for this region to take off into the most dynamic region in Guyana,” said Nagamootoo.
Additionally, addressing the statements of lack of consultation by government on development projects made by the former minister of Amerindian Affairs, the prime minister made it clear that consultations have been ongoing on several projects including the construction of a reservoir in the community of Nappi. “In the story of development, maybe everyone had not been consulted but I am told consultation took place — you cannot use that to knock down a development project,” said the prime minister.
In addressing the move to establish townships across the country in hinterland communities, the Prime Minister pointed to the Lethem aerodrome which is the first of its kind here. He said the aerodrome which will receive international and regional flights would not have been possible had Lethem not received township status.

BIGGER PICTURE

Nagamootoo, who was accompanied by his wife Sita Nagamootoo, his daughter Angela Nagamootoo- Joseph and two grandchildren, urged Toshaos “to take a deep breath and look at the bigger picture.” “We are not in politics because of ourselves and what we want to be or become…it is about the people,” he stated. “It is not a sign of neglect that you can have an industrial site being developed in Lethem, it is not a sign of neglect that you have under the 5Bs programme school buses to transport students,” said Nagamootoo.
Similarly, Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock agreed that work is ongoing to make Region Nine a progressive region. He said there is evidence of the region’s progression since his government has taken office in 2015.
He dubbed the two–day Regional Toshaos’ Conference themed, “Good governance- a Brighter future for Guyana’s first peoples” a historic one, as members of both the government and opposition participated in the event. Their participation was not a feat last year when the conference was first held. “The coalition government is about unity and diversity, Allicock said and called on the newly elected Toshaos and village leaders to guard against abuse.

“The offices to which you are elected should not be abused; use the voice of reason…you are servants and your role is not to dominate and dictate.” The minister noted that in order for economic strength to be achieved in the region, there must be unity. He charged the village leaders to work towards enhancing a village economy while reminding that indigenous people are an integral component of the country’s social fabric.

GUARD AGAINST SELF-INTEREST
Allicock told the gathering of village leaders that persons will want to use the indigenous peoples to satisfy their own “lust for media presence and thirst for power”. “You have to guard against those who attempt to inspire us to walk away from responsibilities,” he stated as he called for accountability.
He said looking at the village improvement plan; agriculture must become the focus of the Rupununi and pointed to the exchange of goods between the Region and Brazil. He reminded the village leaders of the need for scientific research in order to better their products.

“You cannot afford to lose focus, cannot afford to become trapped and be distracted by a few naysayers…we would like to see more Toshaos taking on a new level of leadership and accountability. This is about our destiny, the good life, the future – let us lead as we are expected to,” Allicock stated.

He said his government will continue to partner with the indigenous peoples of this country to ensure that they enjoy a better life.

Meanwhile, Sukhai in a lengthy address sought to attack the government and called on Toshaos and other leaders to engage the country’s leaders about their challenges. She said there “has been a progressive level of neglect across the hinterland” even as she called on young indigenous leaders to ask of their leaders “relevant questions.” Toshao of Shulinab Village Nicholas Fredericks, indicated in an opening address to his colleagues called for non-biased discussions and the removal of all party politics from the two-day conference.
In contrast to Sukhai, however, Regional Chairman, Brian Allicock said “Region Nine is leading in development in Guyana.” Allicock explained the importance of the regional conference and noted that the issues raised there will also be raised at the upcoming National Toshaos Council (NTC) meeting slated for next month. He spoke of a number of initiatives and achievements within Region Nine, while stating that “Our drive is to get the Rupununi back to the international arena— everyone has a role to play”. Meanwhile, $20M in presidential grants was presented to Toshaos of several communities within Region Nine.