Opposition parties and their members continually impede Amerindian development

I READ Sydney Allicock’s letter in the Stabroek News (Fri, Aug 29th, 2014) under the caption ‘Toshaos should make their voices heard.’ However, I refute his contentions on several grounds, inter alia: Sydney Allicock is a PNC/APNU Member of Parliament (MP) who belongs to Surama Village, North Rupununi, Region 9. It is strange that he did not, in his letter, mention that he is “An APNU MP”: But why? Is he ashamed to be associated with the PNC/APNU Political Party, which is totally disrespectful to Guyana’s Amerindian or Indigenous Peoples?

The caption of Allicock’s letter ‘Toshaos should make their voices heard’ is a deception since the voices of our village chiefs and community leaders are always heard and responded to by the Government through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. What the Toshaos must continue to do is to make their voices heard in condemning Allicock and his PNC/APNU party for deliberate budgetary cuts, which affect the development of Amerindian Communities in Guyana in almost every way. Can Allicock remember when he voted with his PNC/APNU Party in cutting $1.4B for the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) in 2014, which affected the implementation of 43 Amerindian Community Development Projects, including Region 9 and the payment of Presidential Grants to the Amerindian Communities of Guyana? And Allicock is very barefaced to speak about Amerindian development and Amerindian rights. Does he know what Amerindian Rights are? As an Amerindian PNC/APNU member, did Allicock consult with Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples and receive their free prior and informed consent (FPIC) before he and his PNC/APNU party voted in Parliament for Budgetary cuts in 2012, 2013 & 2014 that affected negatively the Amerindian Communities of Guyana? Shame on you Allicock!
The Toshaos are indeed making their voices heard, not only when they make their respective village or community representations at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, but also at the National Toshaos Council (NTV) conference. In my view the NTC has been transformed into an Indigenous People’s Parliament, where Toshaos raise their concerns, problems and recommendations in a straightforward, sound and business-like manner in the presence of the President, Ministers of the Government, and Government officials for on-the-spot problem solving and follow-up actions. It is here where the recommendations of some of the more than 180 Toshaos and Community Leaders are reflected in the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MOAA) Annual Budgetary allocations, which are subjected to cuts by the PNC/APNU and AFC, thus denying the rights of Amerindian communities to their social and economic development. And mind you, this is a violation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which Allicock as a PNC/ APNU MP is guilty of, since in Parliament he, as well, voted for the budgetary cuts: And now he has the temerity to call on Toshaos to make their voices heard. What hypocrisy and indecency!
Allicock, an APNU MP said in his letter ‘it is time we give another group a chance at the helm of this beautiful country.’ It seems that Allicock is either venturing into senility or psychosis. Which is this “another group” that must be given a “chance” at the helm of this beautiful country? Allicock did not say, but he definitely could not have meant the PNC/APNU or AFC. It is important for Allicock to be reminded that it was his party, the PNC, when in Government illegally for 28 years destroyed Guyana, both socially and economically when Guyana was ranked second to Haiti in poverty. Allicock must know, as well, that his illegal PNC Government also neglected and discriminated against the Amerindian Peoples of Guyana. So Allicock must know that Amerindians will not give his group, the PNC/APNU, another chance to be at the helm of our beautiful country and neither the AFC will get a chance. Allicock should therefore stop fooling the Toshaos of Region 9.
The Amerindian Act 2006 was formulated as a result of extensive consultations, with participation of over 111 Amerindian communities. It is therefore an Act which is reflective of the wishes of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples. Allicock says the Amerindian Act needs revising, but did not give reasons. The problem is that Allicock simply does not understand the Amerindian Act and, being in the anti-Government circus, he is just parroting what they say.
Amerindian Heritage Month was the brainchild of late President Cheddi Jagan who, in 1995 designated September of each year as Amerindian Heritage Month so as to highlight, encourage, and preserve the culture of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples. The Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Hon. Pauline Sukhai MP who, at the time was not a Minister, but worked alongside former Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Mr. Vibert De Souza, was actively engaged with stakeholders, such as the various Amerindian organisations, for the identification of a day and month for the observation of Amerindian Heritage Month and Heritage Day. Stephen Campbell being the first Amerindian who entered Parliament on 10th September, 1957, was the reason that this date and month were selected for Amerindian Heritage Month and Day: So the month of September of each year was designated Amerindian Heritage month and the 10th of September of each year was declared Amerindian Heritage Day. Amerindian Heritage Month is a part of Guyana’s calendar of national events. In his letter, the point made by Allicock on Amerindian Heritage Month seems convoluted, emanating from a twisted mind-set.
The Former Ministers of Amerindian Affairs all did a great job by ensuring the rights and interests of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples are respected and preserved, causing harmonious togetherness in our beautiful country. The current Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Hon. Pauline Sukhai MP, continues to vigorously blast the trail for continued Indigenous Peoples’ development and empowerment never before seen in the history of Guyana. The problem with Allicock is that he has realised that he is only wasting his time being with the PNC/APNU and being offensive to his own people by joining to cut Guyana’s national Budgets, which negatively affects Indigenous Peoples so as to keep them in poverty and division.
PETER PERSAUD

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