President Granger unveils TEN-POINT STRATEGIC PLAN for hinterland development
President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Vice President and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Sydney Allicock  with newly elected officials of the National Toshaos Council and other members of the Cabinet. [File Photo]
President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Vice President and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Sydney Allicock with newly elected officials of the National Toshaos Council and other members of the Cabinet. [File Photo]

– Hinterland Education Support Programme to be launched
– Amerindian trainees to get stipends, instead of handouts
– The PPP abandoned the CSOs, shut down programme as monies were approved only until end of April

PRESIDENT David Granger yesterday introduced to members of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) a proposed “10-point plan of action” for development of the hinterland.

Over the next four days, indigenous leaders from around the country will be deliberating on the new 10-point strategic, holistic plan for hinterland development, which is aimed at developing thriving economic units, eradicating extreme poverty, and reducing youth unemployment.
Addressing the National Toshaos Council 2015 meeting at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre, Liliendaal, President Granger noted that three-quarters of the country’s territory comprises the hinterland, yet the villagers still are made to endure frontier conditions, vast unpatrolled open spaces which have become corridors for illegalities and face the burden of a high cost of living.

The President said his Administration is committed to building bridges among all communities and groups, in order to enhance the well-being of citizens, in addition to working to bring about inclusionary democracy. With regard to hinterland communities, President Granger pointed out that the frontier layout of many hinterland communities put them at risk of becoming “corridors for illegality.”

He added, “The hinterland’s…forest and pristine waterways are under threat of damage and contamination, its physical infrastructure is inadequate for such a vast territory, its people for the most part are poor, its small, scattered population must bear the burden of [a] high cost of living.”

The President made it clear that his Government will be progressing to ensure that the livelihoods of these villagers is sustained and the environment is protected.

“The first such meeting was held 46 years ago in 1969 and its continuation today is a mark of respect for representatives of indigenous peoples of this great country. Your Government aims at deepening national unity,” President Granger told the gathering.
UPGRADING ADMINISTRATIVE CENTRES

“We stand committed towards upgrading the administrative centres, namely Maburuma, Bartica, Mahdia and Lethem, which will achieve township status before we celebrate our 50th independence anniversary…therefore, [they] will be empowered to improve the provision of public services for citizens,” the President assured.

President Granger voiced the Government’s commitment towards the development of the hinterland and indigenous communities, as they will be moving to promote a sense of integration between the hinterland and coastland of Guyana.
10-POINT PLAN
Meanwhile, speaking about the 10-point plan, President Granger disclosed that firstly they will be introducing a Hinterland Education Support Programme, which will be aimed at revamping the “broken education system.”
“Our priority through this initiative will be to ensure that everyone gets a sound education, as we shall ensure that every child is able to attend school and no child should be prevented from going to school because of parental poverty,” said President Granger.
Every primary school child, he stated, will be transported to school by bicycle, boat or bus, while every child must also be entitled to a nutritious breakfast and every family must be rewarded for keeping their children in school, within the next five years.

HINTERLAND EMPLOYMENT, YOUTH SERVICE

In addition, Government is to launch the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service on September 1, 2015, which will be aimed at providing sustainable jobs, providing youths with various skills to prepare themselves for the world of work.
The President disclosed that a programme like the Community Support Officers (CSOs) which was crafted by the previous Administration had proven unsuccessful, and this in turn led to its termination.
However, he assured that former CSOs who wish to be a part of the new programme will be registered and will continue to receive their stipends.
“We do not wish to promote a culture of hand-outs. This is demeaning. We will ensure that although jobs are scarce, young school-leavers will be provided with skills to employ them for the world of work,” the President outlined.
He told the audience that this initiative will also ensure that persons who were employed as Community Support Officers will be employed and continue to receive stipends.
And through the plan, the Government will be crafting a Hinterland Poverty Reduction Programme, whereby they will move to reduce and eradicate poverty with good governance and sensible policies.
Another programme, the President highlighted, is the infrastructure extension programme, which will be projected at bridging the gap between the standards of living on the coastland and the hinterland, while also ensuring that there is an economic conversion and an improved physical infrastructure.

HIGHWAY BETWEEN LETHEM AND LINDEN
One project will be the highway between Lethem and Linden and also the development of better roads and ports.
SOLAR FARMS
“Over the years the previous Administration gave the hinterland residents single solar panels which only lasted for a few hours, but through the plan we have included a hinterland energy development programme which will see all communities being powered by solar farms, which will provide electricity to all community facilities and not just houses,” said President Granger.

The President further highlighted that the “Hinterland happy household programme” will be aimed at ensuring that investments in economic projects yield substantial and sustained benefits, while also creating long-term job opportunities and agriculture, agro-processing and small enterprise development will be boosted.
Through this project, the Government will be looking to promote safety and security for all communities by strengthening law enforcement.

LAND TITLING
The President also mentioned the hinterland and indigenous peoples Lands Commission that will be aimed at eradicating the land issues by setting up a commission to review their complaints and claims with regard to land titling and demarcation.
“Land is life for the indigenous people and we are aware that over the last 49 years, there have still arisen many unresolved land claims and issues. Your Government is aware of this problem,” the President said. This Commission will address all issues relating to land titling and land demarcation.
HINTERLAND PUBLIC SERVICE PROVISION SCHEME

The President said this initiative will ensure that the Public Service is extended to all corners of the country including remote hinterland communities. “We want to make your communities and your people better served by the Central Government,” President Granger told the indigenous leaders. Under this programme, citizenship registration will be made available to all hinterland communities.

HINTERLAND LANGUAGE CULTURAL AND SPORT SERVICE
The President said this programme will ensure that the cultural traditions of indigenous peoples are preserved, while ensuring improved access to Information and Communication Technology. It will also facilitate the construction of state-of-the-art sport facilities in hinterland communities.

HINTERLAND TOURISM SERVICE
“Your Government intends to establish eco-tourism on a sound economic footing. Guyana’s tourism product is under exploited. We want to establish a real hinterland zoological park,” President Granger said. Under this initiative, he said the Government will ensure that the many tourism products in the hinterland communities are utilised for the benefit of those communities.

This year’s National Toshaos Council meeting will conclude on Saturday and is being held under the theme: ‘Steadfast Indigenous Leadership Towards Territorial integrity and Sustainable Livelihoods.’

STRONG LEADERSHIP IN HINTERLAND COMMUNITIES
Meanwhile, in his remarks Vice President and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, issued the call for strong leadership to “step up and take charge,” within the hinterland communities.
“Currently there is a division, and we need that division to stop, while we need to think and attack issues and not personalities…we must think about a good life…it is not about disrespecting the authority but it is about working together cooperatively,” said Minister Allicock to resounding applause.

He further called on the Toshaos to freely express themselves and “let us unite for the sake of Guyana.”

Government is to launch the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service on September 1, 2015, which will be aimed at providing sustainable jobs, providing youths with various skills to prepare themselves for the world of work. The President gave the assurance that former CSOs who wish to be a part of the new programme will be registered and will continue to receive their stipends.

By Navendra Seoraj

 

 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.