I recently went on a visit to Region Nine along with Mr. Harripesaud Nokta, former Minister of Local Government and now Hinterland Coordinator. The first thing that struck me was Mr. Nokta’s vast knowledge of the hinterland in particular the Amerindian communities. It is no exaggeration to state that Mr. Nokta’s knowledge and experience of the hinterland communities is unsurpassed having derived his knowledge first as an organiser for the People’s Progressive Party and later on with the assumption to Office of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic ( PPP/C) on October 5, 1992 as Minister of Local Government and Minister of Public Works.
Our visits took us to several Amerindian communities in the South Pakaraimas including the small community of Karasabai which is the subject of this article. Why Karasabai? This is so because the community has done something that can be considered extraordinary. It is the first community to have erected a monument in honour of the memory of the late President Cheddi Jagan some years ago and this year, dedicated a Children’s Park in memory of Mrs. Jagan, herself a former President of Guyana.
The Jagans are held in high esteem by the residents of Karasabai, which like so many other Amerindian communities are today considered ‘strongholds’ of the PPP. In fact, the results of the last national and regional elections showed beyond a shadow of doubt that the PPP is the largest Amerindian party in the country.   The Party for the first time in its political history won in all of the hinterland regions either by way of an outright majority as in the case of Regions One and Nine or won a plurality of votes as in the case of Regions Seven and Eight. Of interest to note is that the Party also for the first time in its history won parliamentary representation in Region Ten, once considered a bastion of PNC support.
Interestingly, while the PPP has extended its political reach in almost all the regions of Guyana, the PNC recorded its lowest votes since the 1960’s, baring of course the rigged elections from 1968 to 1985.
The fact that the PNCR has opted for a different person as its Presidential candidate for the upcoming national elections was no doubt influenced by these developments which was compounded by inter-party rivalry.
This is somewhat of a digression from the subject of the article but it was done on purpose if only to reinforce the fact the PPP has now established itself as a genuine multi- ethnic and national party which has attracted into its ranks the most advanced contingent of the working class, peasants, farmers, business people and from the academic community.
Residents of Karasabai, like other communities, have every reason to be thankful to the PPP. These communities have made significant strides over the years in every facet of life, more particularly education and health. I was reminded that the first artesian well in Karasabai was constructed way back in the 1950’s during the first full term of the PPP when Mrs. Jagan was Minister of Health.  Many other hinterland communities benefitted from health facilities during her. Quite a number of Cottage hospitals were also built but were for the most part neglected by the previous PNC administration.
Another Amerindian village, Kopinang located in the mountainous region of Region Eight also erected a monument in honour of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan. These developments are all the more spectacular given the history of anti-PPP propaganda during the 1960’s by the United Force and some elements of the religious community. The main weapon used against the PPP was ‘communism’ which was projected as ‘ungodly’ and evil.
Today, those perceptions no longer hold due mainly to the fact that the PPP/C administration has upgraded the quality of these hinterland communities in a way no other government did. Under the colonial administration Amerindian communities were literally neglected, a situation made even worse by the previous PNC administration. The sectors that suffered the most were education and health which were severely starved of resources. Take education as an example. The whole of Region Nine, the largest of the Amerindian Regions, had no discrete secondary. The same was true of Region Eight. Today Region Nine now has four discrete secondary schools all with residential facilities.
Amerindian children were denied an opportunity to benefit from a full secondary education which would have provided them with an opportunity to secure civil service jobs or enter into tertiary institutions such as the Teacher’s Training College or the University of Guyana. Little wonder nearly all of the Public Service jobs had to be filled by ‘Coastlanders’.
All of this has now changed, thanks to an enhanced quality of education delivery and opportunities for higher education and training for Amerindians. Most of the teachers and health workers are now drawn from among the Amerindian people. Quite a number of doctors who were sent to study medicine in Cuba are from Amerindian/hinterland communities. Interventions in the health and education sectors have resulted in Amerindians living longer and healthier lives.  The latest population census showed that Amerindians today are the fastest growing segment of the population.
The current PPP/C administration has mainstreamed Amerindian development with the creation of a Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. More Amerindian communities are being demarcated and given titles.
This explains why the residents of Karasabai have demonstrated their love and gratitude to the Jagans and the PPP by constructing a monument in their honour.