…as govt seeks fresh approach to project execution

INDIGENOUS leaders were on Monday called upon to establish a five-member National Indigenous Peoples’ Authority, an executive body which will implement relevant government policies and decisions of the National Toshaos Council (NTC).The proposal was made by President David Granger on Monday as he addressed some 212 Amerindian leaders, government officials and other dignitaries at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal during the opening of the NTC.

President Granger said there are a number of issues affecting the hinterland communities and he believes that a single annual conference cannot adequately address the issues aired there.
“There needs to be a fresh approach to the execution of hinterland projects such as aerodromes”, he said as he called on the village leaders to consider whether the village councils possess the financial or managerial skills, resources or the organizational structures to effectively tackle the challenges which they face and which the residents encounter .
The Head of State noted that in other parts of the country, a village can look to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), the Regional Democratic Council and the Ministry of Communities to take their concerns to Cabinet.
“Sometimes we make decisions and we implement measures which are intermittent,” he said, as he referred to the handing out of various forms of assistance to indigenous communities, “I do not feel that they (handouts) have over the years succeeded in creating the quality of life which we expect for all Guyanese”, he said.
The President suggested also that the NTC consider whether it may be necessary to consider an authority, which he said will implement recommendations which emerge at the end of the council’s meeting.
He said if a matter arises and needs to be addressed by the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, the subject minister usually liaises with the subject ministry relative to the issue, such as health or education.
“It is unfair to ask the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to be a postman,” he said , whereby the ministry operates as a body which transfers request for one agency and seeks solutions via another.

President Granger called on Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock to consider his suggestions and recommend measures which can have the body up and running. He said the body would not only report to the Assembly of Toshaos but also the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs on matters relevant to the economy, the environment, social protection and safety, infrastructure and cultural issues.
NTC SECRETARIAT
The President said he will consider suggestions made at the conference to have a secretariat established for the NTC in the city.
“I think the time has come to establish a permanent administrative arrangement,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister Allicock has called on the village leaders to ensure that they capitalise on the opportunity available over the week ahead to interact with various leaders on matters of concern to them.
“It is an opportunity for you to bond, it is an opportunity for you to put all paperwork in place as possible,” he said, noting that the village leaders have the opportunity at the forum to say what they’d like to see in terms of improving the economic growth of their respective communities.
ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE
Allicock reminded the leaders of the President’s position, that Guyana has celebrated 50 years of political independence and the country should look forward to another 50 years of economic independence.
The minister said too that each leader is present at the council’s meeting not as an individual but as a representative of their village.
“When you return, it’s your duty to allow the others to understand what it is we discussed, and what it is we are doing,” he said. “So what we have to do is hard work and that good life will come,” he said.
RADIO STATIONS
Allicock spoke of the work of the government to improve the lives of the indigenous people in a number of areas, including communication. He referred to the establishment of radio stations in

Lethem and in Mabaruma while noting that three other radio stations are on the cards for the villages of Orealla, Aishalton and Moruca.
The minister stressed that “the laid back attitude of some of the community development officers will have to be changed,” as they are the point of contact with the ministry in communities.
“We need to work together as team ….urgent matters must be reported immediately at the village council and the ministry and the regional offices,” he said. He called on the leaders to avoid “agents of division”.
Prior to Monday’s meeting, the toshaos met and interacted with Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) over the weekend , an encounter which was described as a first in many years.
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe told those gathered that in the past the government of today was not allowed to speak with the indigenous leaders on the eve of the NTC meeting. She said that the APNU+AFC administration will continue to support the NTC.
Meanwhile, former Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai told members of the media that the NTC must have the scope to implement their decisions and so she does not agree with the call made by President Granger for the establishment of an Indigenous Peoples’ Authority.
Sukhai argued that since coming into office, the APNU+AFC coalition government failed to adequately address the issue of titled lands for indigenous people.
Notwithstanding that, the former minister under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) echoed the sentiments of Minister Allicock, stating that there is need for support, empowerment and training of indigenous people.

The NTC will meet and deliberate on a number of issues over the next four days, including the contentious Amerindian Act and land issues affecting residents.
Also present at the opening of the NTC were Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan, Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland and several Opposition MPs.