PPP/C wins hands down with Amerindian development

THE Amerindians of Guyana, our first people, and their communities are not outside the many transformational projects now taking place throughout the country.

In fact, through the aegis of the Ministry of Amerindian affairs, dozens of projects costing multimillions have been executed and are continuing to be executed for the qualitative improvement of Amerindians and their communities. These are the specialised Hinterland Development Programmes to make Amerindian communities self-sufficient, and finally integrating these well-deserving people into the mainstream of national life.

Let it be repeated without any debate or attempts at rebuttal that Amerindians and their communities are a far cry from those long ago decades of criminal neglect, especially during the regime of the former People’s National Congress government. And further, without any apology whatsoever, the improved lives that are now the daily experience of Amerindians and their hinterland communities are as a direct result of a genuine policy on the part of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic government to correct the historical wrongs that our Amerindian brethren had suffered for so long.
One of the successes of the hinterland development programmes has been its electrification initiative, beginning in 2005, from which an initial over 11,000 solar panels have already been distributed to over 135 communities, in regions 1,7,8,9, and 10.
But Amerindian socio-economic development is a continuous process, therefore it should be of no surprise when government recently announced that there will be a further distribution of 6,000 solar panels to selected hinterland communities and riverine areas that are “off grid”.
Unsurprisingly, the political opposition, the “Cummingsburg Two”, had levelled the quite to be expected view that such a distribution is “vote buying”, given the fact that the nation is now preparing for general and regional elections. What has the PNC, when in government, ever done for the nation’s Amerindians?
Now, these are the same critics who have been continuous in their criticisms of the government not doing enough for Amerindians. It is the usual political mouthing that has been without merit, thereby becoming hollow and worn in the process, since government’s record on hinterland development is best manifested in the much improved lives and changes of Amerindians and their communities.
Just imagine what electrification of hinterland communities for the first time has been doing for Amerindians. It means that their children are now able to do their home work assignments, research, and preparation for examinations in comfort and for extended hours. For families, it means that long sought for opportunity to watch a television programme, and socialise with friends. But, equally important is the opportunity for economic ventures such as cottage industries.
With the distribution and installation of this second and final segment of solar panels, government would be fulfilling a development promise, thus being an administration which keeps its word.
We therefore ask those perennial Jeremiahs of the APNU-AFC coterie, what is wrong with the PPP/C Government decision to complete its hinterland electrification programme, even close to national elections?
It can only be fear of the PPP/C winning more votes from the Amerindians, and which this party will be well-deserving to have, given the government’s uncontested track record of successful Amerindian socio-economic development throughout hinterland communities.

(The material used in the editorial published on Tuesday March 3, 2015 was sourced from a study done by Dr Latchman Narine, Director/Family Counsellor of the Anger Management Centre of Toronto, Inc. )

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