RESIDENTS of the small Region Seven indigenous village of Karrau are upset that no financial statement on the state of the village’s finances has been made available for over a year, and they are calling for intervention of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.Located close to the town of Bartica, Karrau generates large sums of revenue via mining, logging, and its toll gate which is utilised by miners who traverse the community to reach their respective operations located in concessions aback the village.
Residents contend that when the current village council assumed office last July, a sum of $7M was in the village’s coffers; and given the scale of activities which have occurred over the past year, that sum should have been doubled. But Toshao Bertille Thomas told this publication that the village currently possesses $1.29M. He said that, over the past year, various sums of money were spent on projects at the village, and since most persons are working, the council has been unable to conduct checks and balances of its financial records.
He said the finance committee was, on two occasions, asked to produce a report, but this never materialised.
Currently attending the National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference in the city, Thomas said the council met two weeks ago with the village at a general meeting, and the issue was raised. According to him, the finance committee was given until September 25th to produce its report on the village’s financial status.
Residents are, however, contending that the authorities should intervene and audit the finances of Karrau. “Over a year has passed and no financial statement has been presented to the residents, even though they have been pleading and literally begging for a financial report at every village general meeting”, the residents noted in a letter seen by this publication.
The residents are also contending that at the last meeting, held two weeks ago, Toshao Thomas “boldly and rather bravely indicated that there were no financial records (not even basic ledgers); and he himself does not know about monies expended and generated”. They said the village council’s treasurer was also asked by residents to provide a financial report for the past year, and he also was unable to provide same to the residents.
Residents are demanding intervention of the subject minister under section 33 of the Amerindian Act of 2006. The Residents are treating this matter very seriously, and have vowed to explore all avenues to ensure that the principles of accountability and transparency are upheld, it has been noted.
Given its current financial state and the seriousness of the issue, the village has cancelled all Heritage celebrations.
Thomas has noted that the annual Heritage celebrations, slated for September 4, have appeared too close to the date when school is expected to reopen. He said that a decision was made to instead hold a fundraising event, where craft and other products would be on sale to generate funds.
Residents have noted, however, that they would be awaiting the outcome of the report of the village’s finance committee before partaking in any fundraising event.
