I read Martin Cheong’s letter in the Kaieteur News in its issue of January 30th, 2011 under the caption “Amerindians are tired of empty promises”
Please allow me to state the following: 1. The letter clearly shows that the AFC will not win the upcoming elections and is desperate for the Amerindian vote.  Unfortunately, Mr. Cheong did not reveal to Amerindians the AFC’s development plan for them. But has the AFC a development plan for Amerindians in the first place?
2. The fact is that Martin Cheong did nothing to reveal to Amerindians the AFC’s Development Plan for Guyana’s first peoples shows clearly that voting for the AFC is like voting for the PNC. Amerindians need to take careful note.
3. The Amerindians Act 2006 is being implemented and applied in all the Amerindian Communities and it is the finest piece of Legislation that provides for the self-determination of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples. Stop fooling the Amerindian people, Martin Cheong.
4.   Do we have Amerindian land rights problems in Guyana? The answer is No. the Government has demonstrated political will in addressing the titling of Amerindian lands. So far there are 96 titled Amerindian villages, with about 11 more Communities to be given titles. 70 villages are demarcated, 5 are in the process of demarcation, and 21 are awaiting demarcation. In terms of extensions, 8 villagers have been extended and 27 are in the processing stage. There are 19 settlements, which will become eligible for land titles at various times in the future. There are 9 mixed Amerindian Communities. The fact of the matter is that land titling, demarcation and land extensions carry a very high cost, but the Government is committed to the resolution of settling the Amerindian land relotted issues.
5. The Amerindian population is about 69,000 of the total population of 751,000. Currently, Amerindians have ownership of about 14% of Guyana’s land space, and with the completion of Amerindian land titlement and extensions, Amerindians will have ownership of about 25.30% of Guyana’s National Territory. But, as communities begin to qualify for land titles according to the Amerindian Act 2006, Amerindian land ownership of Guyana’s land space would certainly surpass 30%. Do not be misled, Mr. Cheong, and do not attempt to mislead others, the Government of Guyana has definitely delivered to the Amerindian peoples, and will continue to do so for the Social and Economic Empowerment of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples.
6. In terms of sustainable living and food security for Amerindians, the Government has certainly been making significant efforts to bring this about with projects geared towards the transformation of village economies. The provision of boats, engines, ATVS, chain saws, etcetera are important facilities to help push the development process currently taking place in the Amerindian Communities despite limited resources. Stop fooling Amerindians, Martin Cheong.
7.  The Government is certainly concerned about the health and education of Amerindians and since its ascension into public office in 1992 has constructed numerous health huts and schools in Amerindian districts and communities. Amerindians are provided ongoing training as community health workers, medexes and trained teachers. Stop fooling Amerindians, Marin Cheong.
8. The AFC is really desperate for the Amerindian vote and so they are using Martin Cheong, but the AFC will be disappointed.
9. Not one AFC seat in the National Assembly was given to an Amerindian.  Is this the kind of love and respect the AFC has for Amerindians? The AFC certainly has a Columbus mentality towards Amerindians. Stop fooling the Amerindians, Martin Cheong.
10. The AFC launched its elections campaign, telling the Guyanese people that life will be bright and beautiful under an AFC Government. But the AFC failed miserably to tell the Guyanese people where they will get the money from to make this happen. This is the party Martin Cheong belongs to.
11. It is an indisputable fact that the PPP/C Government has certainly delivered to the Amerindian peoples of Guyana and will continue to do so after its landslide victory at the upcoming General and Regional Elections.