-Minister Sukhai tells Capoey residents
THE People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Government has always taken into consideration the views of citizens in decision-making, and this is seen in the approach of government officials as they undertake outreaches to communities scattered all across the country. Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and a team from the ministry visited the Amerindian village of Capoey, a small Arawak village on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two, where they engaged in several meetings with the residents who raised pertinent issues regarding sustainable development.
Minister Sukhai told them that government continues to contribute substantially to social and economic development of Amerindians through increased access to a range of services. These include presidential grants, school-feeding and uniform programmes, the Hinterland Secure livelihood programme, community development plans, unserved areas electrification programme, scholarship and hinterland road programmes, land demarcation, mid-wives training and the hinterland teachers’ upgrading programme. 
Minister Sukhai told them that Government welcomes their feedback on developmental programmes.

Presidential Grants
The minister said that Government will continue to support the transformation of village economies, but residents also need to be integrally involved in the process, and the relaxed attitude of some residents is affecting the rate of development.
The annual presidential grant is just one of the many initiatives by the PPP/C Government to foster development in Amerindian communities. Prior to 1992, Amerindians had to find ways and means of securing their own funds to effect projects.
She said Amerindians are no longer being led into development, but are part of national development.
“Amerindians today are not only in the Parliament, but also in the Cabinet; they continue to drive themselves into powers that exist within Guyana….we have Amerindian leaders at the national and international levels,” Minister Sukhai said.
She told residents that their village will be receiving their presidential grant for 2010 and 2011 by mid-July.
“The villagers will have to sit with the council and decide what they want to do with the grants,” Minister Sukhai said. 
She reminded councillors and residents that the grants are to be invested in community- based projects, and that funds emanating from the Low Carbon Development Strategy agreement will also be rolled out for community development.

Council essential to village development
She said that the mandate of the Village Council rests upon the shoulders of the councillors in executing the village’s affairs.
Over the last year, the government has been working to close the gap caused by years of neglect prior to 1992, so that all Guyanese, regardless of their location and ethnic composition, have access to all of the resources provided by government.
The minister opined that over the years, the government has worked diligently to accelerate the development of Amerindians through the creation of an Amerindian Affairs Ministry and increases in budgetary allocations to sustain the work of the ministry.
“While officers from the ministry cannot be in your village every day, the village councillors are there to guide you and help you to excel,” Minister Sukhai said. 

Road to Capoey to be expedited
Minister Sukhai informed residents that the request made by the Toshao at the last National Toshaos’ council meeting in Georgetown has been fulfiled by President Jagdeo, and that $25M will be released to the regional administration to carry out works on the access road leading to Lake Capoey.
“When we came into office in 1992, we took over a bankrupt country and in less than 15 years visible changes were made to the country under the PPP/C Government,” Minister Sukhai informed residents of Lake Capoey.
She mentioned that President Jagdeo is concerned about the roads leading to the community and has instructed the region to ensure that the road work is expedited.
Great income-generation potential at Capoey
The main income-generating activities of Lake Capoey include organic pineapple and cash crop farming, logging, handicraft, small-scale poultry-rearing, and a project focusing mainly on agro-tourism.
Minister Sukhai said that the village has great income-generating capabilities and that residents should take a bottom-line approach, which will allow for the full exploitation of their indigenous knowledge and practices to promote their community.
“Once you have tourists coming to the village, you will have room for agriculture expansion. The linkages between agriculture and tourism can help to promote prosperity,” Minister Sukhai urged residents.
Chairperson of the National Toshaos Council, Yvonne Pearson, who is head of Mainstay/Whyaka, also accompanied the team. She urged residents to work through their differences for the benefit of the community, and more so, for the national development of the country.
Accompanying the Minister on her visit as well was Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs Collin Croal.
Among the other projects taking place in the village are construction of a guest house to accommodate persons who are desirous of visiting the community and remaining overnight, and expansion of a new housing scheme.
Minister Sukhai told the residents of other government initiatives, such as the One Laptop Per Family Initiative, and the school uniform and feeding programmes, all being implemented to better the lives of Guyanese. (GINA)