President reaffirms Gov’t commitment to providing equal opportunities for Amerindians
President Donald Ramotar stresses the Government’s committment to providing equal opportunities for all Guyana’s peoples
President Donald Ramotar stresses the Government’s committment to providing equal opportunities for all Guyana’s peoples

“From the inception we have been pursuing this course …if we are to make our motto, ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’ more than a slogan, we have to provide equal opportunities for all our peoples in this country.” – President Donald Ramotar

GUYANA’S efforts in boosting the rights of the country’s first people surpass what is being done in other countries, according to President Donald Ramotar.“We have gone further than any country I know to guarantee the rights of our indigenous people,” he said yesterday.

President Donald Ramotar greets participants at the 2014 NTC
President Donald Ramotar greets participants at the 2014 NTC

His remarks were made in his feature address at the 2014 National Toshaos’ Conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Turkeyen, under the theme ‘Harnessing the power of leadership’.
“From the inception, we have been pursuing this course (of development)…if we are to make our motto, ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’ more than a slogan, we have to provide equal opportunities for all our people in this country,” Mr. Ramotar said.
He acknowledged that Guyana’s first people have, historically, been disadvantaged, but highlighted that the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has worked assiduously to correct this.
“Fundamentally, their needs were ignored…we are taking a different path, a path to use our resources to benefit all our people, equally,” the President stressed.
DIFFERENT PATHWAY
Advancing efforts, charting a different pathway, Mr. Ramotar explained, is grounded in his Government’s belief that the development of a country is largely advanced through the development of the people of the country.
On that note, he underscored the many advances made in indigenous communities across Guyana, including:
* The establishment of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to address the needs, interests and rights of Amerindians in Guyana;
* The legislative framework that protects and advances the interests of Guyana’s first peoples;
* Access to improved social services, education and health, among others;
* Programmes for youths, such as Youth Entrepreneurial and Apprenticeship programme (YEAP), which also facilitates job creation;
* Improved infrastructure;
* Access to Information Communication and Technology (ICT) facilities;
* Grants for community development activities and special provisions via budgetary allocations for Guyana’s indigenous people; and
* Involvement of youth in climate change response activities; among many others.
“We are beginning to see our efforts paying off,” the President said.
He added that the investments being made in developments to benefit Guyana’s first people are quintessential, considering the potential for the contributions that can be made by Amerindians.
ADDRESSING CHALLENGES
The Head of State also acknowledged that, despite the successes, challenges persist; however, he committed his Government to addressing these. “Everything is not hunky dory. We still have challenges,” he said, referring to the Opposition’s

 Dancers from St.Cuthbert’s Mission perform at the Centre
Dancers from St.Cuthbert’s Mission perform at the Centre
Representatives at yesterday’s conference
Representatives at yesterday’s conference

slashing of the budgetary allocations.
On that note, Mr. Ramotar highlighted the need for hydropower and other infrastructural advances that will assist in tackling some of the challenges that exist, as well as contribute to the improvement of the lives of all Guyanese.
Slated to be this nation’s most ambitious undertaking, the Amaila Falls Hydro Project (AFHP) is touted to be able to provide Guyanese with a cheaper, reliable and sustainable electricity supply. It involves the construction of a hydropower plant in the area of West-Central Guyana, where the Amaila and Kuribrong Rivers meet. Electricity produced there would be delivered to Georgetown and Guyana’s second largest town, Linden. The AFHP is anticipated to result in substantial savings to the nation’s coffers, particularly in terms of foreign exchange and the purchase of heavy fuel oil.
Other opportunities that can be optimized on, for the benefit of all Guyanese , the President added, include projects like a deep water harbour, road projects that link Guyana to its continental neighbours, and continued attention to improving the local human resource capacity.
To this end, he stressed the importance of the 2014 National Toshaos’ Conference.
The conference provides leaders of Amerindian communities across Guyana an opportunity to address and evaluate conditions affecting Guyana’s first people and development in their communities, among other issues. The meeting, held annually to provide the platform for dialogue and forward planning for development of Amerindian communities, includes an agenda with the focus on the report of the NTC executive
“We have come a far way. We must not allow our country to go backwards. I call on you to continue to work with us so that Guyana can realise its potential and give a high quality of life to all our people,” the President said.
STRONG LEADERSHIP
Also addressing the gathering was the Chairman of the National Toshaos Council, Mr. Derrick John. Recognising efforts made to date to advance the interests of Amerindian people in Guyana, he stressed the need for strong leadership.
According to him, strong leaders embrace the principles of honesty, accountability, transparency, humility and optimism.
John expressed his appreciation to the Government of Guyana for its continuing support and recognition of the country’s first people.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Mr. Nigel Dharamlall, reiterated similar sentiments and added that strong leadership sustains progress.
Over 200 Amerindians were gathered at the conference centre for the event, where they will also have an opportunity to engage Government Ministers and other key officials on areas of concern. Among others present were Government Ministers, Government Members of Parliament (MPs), representatives of the ruling party and from the Diplomatic Corps.
The conference continues today, through Saturday.

(By Vanessa Narine)

 

 

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