VICE-President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, on Wednesday, sought to clear the air on “false allegations” made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) that the Government has dismissed some 2000 Community Support Officers (CSOs).According to Allicock, it was not the Government that dismissed the CSOs but rather it was the PPP/C which had “shut down this programme without letting them (CSOs) know. It is clear from the evidence that the former PPP Government had severed or cut loose the CSOs,”Allicock said.
Clearing the air, Minister Allicock said, “I wish to place on the record that my Government has not fired or dismissed the estimated 1,972 CSOs, as is being falsely alleged by the PPP Opposition. The former PPP Government had made no financial allocation for CSOs beyond April 2015.”
According to the minister, Cabinet had to arrive at a decision to provide a subsidy to the CSOs. “By Cabinet decision, dated March 18, 2015, the sum of $234,240,000 was approved for 1,952 Community Support Officers as stipends for the period January to April 2015,” the minister stated.
He noted that the CSOs were recruited under a political scheme called Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP). They were not contracted employees or public servants. “All they were offered, on a periodic basis, was a stipend of $30,000 each month,” Minister Allicock highlighted.
In addition, he said, “It appeared that the PPP Government had shut down the programme, and left the CSOs exposed after using them as political activists in the so-called ‘Red Shirt Brigade’ to join picket lines and campaign for the PPP.”

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
The minister noted that from September 1, 2015, YEAP will be replaced by the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service. This programme is a new scheme, which will provide sustainable jobs for youths in hinterland communities. This initiative will also ensure that persons who were employed as CSOs undergo training so that they can be re-employed.
It is also expected to train thousands of other youths, while paying them stipends, so as to ensure that they receive relevant skills, allowing them to pursue sustainable livelihoods and a good life. (GINA)