Sukhai challenges any other on Amerindian development
MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Pauline Sukhai, Wednesday, has denied allegations by various Presidential Candidates that the Government is not doing enough for the indigenous people.
She identified The United Force (TUF) and People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) among the political parties making such false statements that are not entirely the facts.
Sukhai said as this is elections year, political leaders will now create issues over Amerindian development but she maintained that there were quite a number of developments in different Amerindian communities in areas of health, education, administration, land ownership and infrastructure.
According to her, Amerindians have access to basic primary health care that they never had in the past, which is a credible achievement for the Government.
In addition, Sukhai noted that Amerindian students have derived tremendous benefit from scholarship programmes and several of their communities will gain from the academic achievements of those who have completed medical studies.
“The health care system in most Amerindian communities will be provided with a boost. This is an achievement that has been realised and something that Guyana can record,” she maintained.
In terms of education, the minister said that is an empowerment to most Amerindians because their dreams can now be realised with the establishment of schools in most communities.
She said, before the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) took over, there were two secondary schools in the hinterland and, now in less than 15 years, there are 10 secondary schools, equipped with dormitories.

Significant step

Sukhai said new nursery and primary schools have been opened in most hinterland areas and managed by Amerindians, who have completed studies as teachers, which is, indeed, a significant step forward.
The minster said government has enhanced and built new infrastructures, among them buildings, bridges, roads and educational and health facilities in the hinterland regions.
She acknowledged, though, that government recognises there is still more work to be done and many challenges to face. But, despite that, it has closed the gap that existed 19 years ago.
On the issue of land ownership, Sukhai said one of the priority aspects of it is demarcation and, before the present Administration assumed office, only one village was demarcated. Presently, demarcation has already been done in 77 villages and she compared the land titling before the PPP/C administration in 74 villages to the 96 done since.
She announced that eight more villages are expected to be demarcated this year at a total cost of $600M.
Sukhai said 13 villages will receive their titles and four extended in the process that is not simple, as soon as the money becomes available to begin.
She said the government does not force villages to demarcate but it is done upon the request of villagers.
“If this kind of development for our indigenous people is not significant, then I challenge any other government that may come in the future to try doing what the PPP/C has done and continues to do for our people,” Sukhai said.