THE annual conference of the National Toshaus Council opens tomorrow at the Guyana International Convention Centre, and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic extends a warm welcome to all Amerindian leaders from across Guyana who will be participating in the caucus.
The party, in a release, says it also recognizes the role and participation of the Indigenous Peoples Commission which was established by the PPP/C Government to further empower the Amerindian people of this nation.
“Over 185 leaders, community and district development officers along with other regional and national representatives are scheduled to participate at this forum which assesses the progress made by our indigenous people over the past year and establishes new plans for the coming year with the technical and financial assistance from Government.
“It is a fact that prior to 1992 our Indigenous population was on the decline. Today, with the plans and programmes implemented by this Government, it is one of the fastest growing segments of our diverse population.”
Mention was made of the significant improvements in land, water and air transport, as well Amerindians also having access to improved health and education facilities, adding, that from its inception, the PPP/C government had committed itself to improving the quality of life of the Amerindian peoples.
In the main, the administration has sought to ensure food security through the opening up of new agricultural lands providing agricultural implements including tractors to villages and seed materials to the communities.
The administration has also increased access to education, health and safe water in the interior areas, by investing heavily in these areas. The results can be seen by the growing number of interior students on government scholarships locally and internationally, it was noted.
Alluding to the year 2010, the party in its release said, more than 32 solar pumps were installed in the Amerindian communities. The PPP/C’s commitment to the well-being of the Amerindian communities was recently demonstrated in its swift action to flood victims in the Rupununi.

The party noted that on July, 18, last, its General Secretary, Donald Ramotar and Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, were in Region 8 where the Agriculture Minister in one of its regular outreaches helped the villages with planting materials and technical advice.
Ramotar, who is also the presidential candidate of the party used the opportunity to call on all Guyanese, particularly those most likely to be affected in the hinterland regions to ensure they are registered by the Guyana Elections Commission once they are qualified, so as to ensure their names are on the final voters’ list.
GECOM recently announced that it will re-open the period for Claims and Objections for 10 days, beginning tomorrow.
Speaking with the villagers, Mr. Ramotar stated that his party thinks it is important as this is the main weapon people have in their hands to determine whom they want to govern them and as such he was surprised that the opposition did not want to give them that opportunity.
He concluded by urging all those who have birth certificates, including those who recently uplifted theirs to take advantage of this period to get registered once they are over the age of 18 or will reach this age on or before September 30 2011. “GECOM will soon make the announcement on the re-opening of its offices and mobile centres to cater especially for hinterland communities such as Region 8 and I want to encourage those who are qualified to not miss this important opportunity”.
Regional and General elections are constitutionally due by December 28 2011 and the Guyana Elections Commission has expressed confidence that it will be in a position to inform the Head of State that it is ready for the polls, well in advance of this date, the release reminded.