By Mervyn Williams

PRESIDENT David Granger has been relentless in his appeal to Indigenous Peoples to craft Village Improvement Plans (VIPs) outlining their vision for the development of their Villages in the medium to long term. The President’s calls of encouragement have been echoed by many in government especially Vice President Allicock while engaging Indigenous leaders and Villagers.

So far more than forty five (45) Village Councils have completed and submitted VIPs to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

The process employed for achieving this end product (VIP) involves the Village Councils, the general Village populations and, where necessary, technical support from the Ministry. Various State Agencies are available and have supported Villages in several areas of technical advice as well. The process culminates in a final document being approved by a two-thirds majority of villagers in attendance at a Village General Meeting.

Village Improvement Plans focus in large measure on developmental programmes which have as their main objective the development of personal and Village economies. They outline what resources are available to the Village and what resources are required for the accomplishment of the goals which are set out.

In crafting these Village Improvement Plans, the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana exercise their right to self-determination. The VIPs present a classic case of the citizens speaking to government on matters critical to the development of their Villages. No longer is government talking down to our people. The days of the PPP domination of the lives and activities of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples are over. The days of the PPP dictating to Indigenous Peoples are over. The days when the PPP threaten to slap and otherwise assault and insult Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples are over.

Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples were denied the right to self-determination by successive PPP governments. Now that this denial to a fundamental right has been reversed by President Granger the PPP is upset. Indigenous Peoples of Guyana can now, without fear of any consequence, speak freely and openly, unlike a few years ago. Indigenous Peoples of Guyana are in large numbers rejecting the PPP’s attempt to control the way they think and behave.

In a desperate attempt to create confusion in the minds of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples, the PPP has started a campaign of misinformation. The PPP is suggesting that the VIPs are now a prerequisite to obtaining titles to lands. This is utter rubbish.
Claims to lands traditionally occupied and otherwise utilized by our people is a right. Claims are subject to a process which is legally defined. VIPs have never been, are not now and are not being considered for the future as a part of that process, much less a prerequisite to titling.

A VIP like any plan (such as an Urban Development Plan, a New Housing Scheme/Settlement Plan, a National Land Use Plan) is a necessary tool for the strategic and sustainable management of a Village. A VIP contemplates among countless other elements the matter of land use. Villages are proposing protected forested areas, protected wetland areas, agricultural areas, areas for reforestation and areas for the development of eco-tourism development among other things.

Sustainable land use and management in this time face real challenges. These challenges are presented mainly by the climate change reality and adverse impact. Land use and management must be supported by a strategic approach which has at its very heart the best interest of the owners of those lands. Our reality is as posited by Toshao Nicholas Fredericks one where: “The Indigenous Peoples of Guyana have done more than any other group of people to preserve our environment, yet we are the most affected by the painful impacts of climate change”.

The PPP must come to the table with clean hands. It must stop making light of issues which are critical to the lives, livelihood and future of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples. The Indigenous Peoples of Guyana reject attempts to divide us.

The Indigenous Peoples of Guyana embrace the government’s fulfillment of its commitment to us with respect to land titling and the amendment to the Amerindian Act among others. The Indigenous community of Guyana clearly understands that the VIPs are not related in any way to applications for titles to lands. The Indigenous community of Guyana embraces the need for and fully supports the call for crafting of Village Improvement Plans.
The Indigenous community of Guyana is proud of President Granger’s recognition of our right to self-determination. We are proud to be in this position where we can now freely exercise that right which we were denied by the PPP. Guyana is on the right path.

Government has started a good work. President Granger and his governing coalition should be allowed to continue this good work which began in May 2015. Guyana deserves to have a good government. Guyana’s development can only advance successfully under a good government. Guyana has a good government. Let the good work continue.