Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe started off her Budget 2016 debate by debunking statements made Opposition Parliamentarian, Yvonne Pearson that the people have lost confidence of the Ministers responsible for the Ministry.

According to Garrido-Lowe, at the May 11 elections, the Amerindian people expressed their confidence in the Coalition and rejected the People’s Progressive Party.

The Junior Minister made it clear that the Hinterland is getting its fair share of the pie and that Budget measures will help to bring Amerindians out of poverty.

She said the government will work tirelessly to bridge the gap between the hinterland and the coastland so development can benefit all, pointing out that not only better roads and bridges will be built in the hinterland but more emphasis will be placed on education.

She said the Government will train indigenous people to be young entrepreneurs and to be leaders in their communities. According to the Minister, the replacement for the Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training (YEST) is currently training over 100 young people; those being trained receive $30, 000 a month; $10, 000 of which is saved and given to them at the end of the programme. Six villages are currently part of the programme.