…long standing land issue resolved
AMERINDIANS, who are one of the major beneficiaries of government’s plans for development with the implementation of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), are taking advantage of the opportunity to have their land issues resolved in a timely manner so that their land titling and demarcation processes can progress.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Ms. Pauline Sukhai and Permanent Secretary Mr. Collin Croal, along with officials of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) on April 16 and 17, visited the villages of Sawariwau, Katoonarib and Rupunau in the South Central and Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine to address land issues.
Minister Sukhai met with residents of Sawariwau and Katoonarib Villages which were among the villages slated for demarcation and titling this year.
The two villages were able to resolve a long standing land issue that prevented their land titling and demarcation process from being completed.
Minister Sukhai commended the councils of the two villages for engaging in consultations with residents before reaching a mutual agreement with regards to their land issue.
This, Minister Sukhai said, is in sync with the Amerindian Act which encourages villages to use dialogue to resolve issues. The course of action agreed to by the villages has paved the way for the titling and demarcation process to be completed.
The Government Information Agency (GINA), reported that she also encouraged them to familiarise themselves with the Amerindian Act and to use it as a guide in decision-making at the Village Council level.
She urged both Sawariwau and Katoonarib residents to be involved in the decision-making process in their villages since they are the ones who stand to gain or lose from the decisions that are made at the level of the Village Council.
Minister Sukhai reiterated that Amerindian land rights is high on government’s list of priorities hence the titling and demarcation process will be funded with revenue from the Guyana Redd+ Investment Fund (GRIF) which facilitates payments from Norway to Guyana for keeping its forest standing.
Through this mechanism, funding will also be provided for the execution of Community Development Plans (CDPs) in Amerindian communities and for solar panels to be provided for every Amerindian community.
Minister Sukhai also commended those communities which have submitted CDPs for agricultural projects. This, she said, shows the priority given to food security in those communities.
She reminded them that Amerindians are also included among the beneficiaries of Government’s One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) and some hinterland students have already been presented with laptops by President Bharrat Jagdeo at the launching of the programme in January.