-at 3rd day of National Toshaos Council meeting
AS is customary during the National Toshaos Council (NTC) meeting, Amerindian leaders are given the opportunity to interact with President Bharrat Jagdeo and relevant sector ministers concerning issues of various communities. This year, the first round of discussions, which was chaired by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, saw the Toshaos interfacing directly with the ministers who responded to questions and clarifications relating to roads and bridges, education, health, sports, water and housing, land issues, security and access to technology.
The 5th NTC meeting is being held at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Liliendaal under the theme, “Consolidating and Expanding Frontiers for Amerindian Development.”
Roads and bridges
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, responded to the issue of roads and bridges. The road from Wanaina Bridge to Yarakita, which is about 95 percent complete, is amongst other work being done in Region One that includes the Moruca, Mabaruma and Port Kaituma road networks.
“We are aware on that section, from Wanaina to Yarakita, just before you get down to Wauna, there has been some digging of the fine gravel by persons in the area for house building and other uses, and so that area needs some additional work,” he said.
As it relates to the Hosororo to White Water section, an evaluation will be done quickly to determine the condition of that section, while in South Central Rupununi, Minister Benn disclosed that several contracts have been given out to significantly improve hinterland roads. “With respect to the Lethem to Aishalton road, we have given out contracts totalling $165M, to have roads done,” he stated. The project includes the Lethem through Katoka to Katoonarib roads, and the Katoonarib bridge approaches and ramp.
Minister Benn emphasised that attention needs to be paid to bridges being destroyed by heavy-duty vehicles and the roads need to be properly used, particularly during the rainy season.
Prime Minister Hinds affirmed that the government sees the Linden to Lethem road as an important link with Brazil.
“We have been meeting with the Brazilian authorities to as soon as possible raise the road to the level where it can be asphalted all the way through,” the Prime Minister explained.
Security

Several of the Toshaos highlighted the need for persons in their communities to obtain  drivers’ licences and Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, who holds responsibility for this aspect, stated that sometime around May/June of this year there was a meeting with the Minister of Amerindian Affairs and as a result the ministry wrote to the Commissioner of Police requesting that training of persons to become licensed drivers for minibuses, ATVs, tractors, and pick-ups.
He explained that the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs had recommended that certain points be identified where the persons can go for training at that time; points identified were Mabaruma, Kumaka, and Moruca, Region One, and Kamarang, Region Seven, police stations. The Toshaos were tasked to select the drivers to be licenced.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, emphasised that at the Kuru Kuru training centre, which is attended by many Amerindians students in the mechanic programme, are given the opportunity to receive training and obtain a drivers licences.
Minister Rohee noted that information was received indicating that 50 civilians wanted to do the ballistics test in Moruca; however, only 25 persons turned up for the test while the remaining 25 will be notified when they will be able to do theirs.
“We have taken a decision to renew the licences for firearm owners, irrespective of whether ballistics tests were done,” he added.
As it relates to persons without birth certificates, Minister Rohee noted that the government has been aware of the situation prior to GECOM re-opening the claims and objections exercise; as such Government has established a mechanism to ensure everyone is on the voters’ list, particularly those in the hinterland.
Education
Concerns were raised about the overcrowding of the Waramadong Secondary school, Region 7, and in response, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall, stated that less than 400 students were catered for, but government is happy that more students are taking the opportunity to access education.
In light of this, he disclosed that another secondary school is slated to be built at Jawalla to ease the pressure and provide more access.
The school’s headteacher, it was reported, has indicated that other than the provision of additional furniture and extension done by the Ministry of Education, there will be adequate space for now, but next year more space would definitely be needed.
Minister of Education Shaik Baksh noted that two teachers who recently graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education will be returning to Annai, Region 9, while three teachers from World Teach will be assisting in boosting the delivery of maths and science. He added that the 2012 budget caters for the construction of new dormitories and secondary schools and provision of transportation.
Housing and water
Water is indeed a critical aspect in the hinterland communities; in this regard $2.5M has been invested to build a new well in Aishalton, Region 9; however, the demand of the community now is to have connections to their homes, Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali explained.
“The well that was built there cannot fulfil this request in terms of its production capacity, so what we have to do, like in many other communities, is build other small wells and interlink them into the network,” he said. This effort is a part of five-year investment plan.
Ali posited that the ministry would examine the option of providing black tanks to provide water until a more comprehensive network is established.
“We are working hard to change the landscape in the hinterland. We are at a stage where Toshaos are now asking for the establishment of housing schemes and we welcome this. Last year resources were mobilised to improve the water system in the hinterland communities; this was as a direct result of Toshaos’ concerns and interventions,” Minister Ali emphasised.
Technology
Government has been placing significant emphasis on improving access to technology throughout Guyana. During the interaction, several of the toshaos highlighted interest in having access and connectivity in their communities.
“With respect to the programme to bring computer training and internet connectivity into the Amerindian villages, His Excellency on Monday said within two years every single village will have access,” reiterated Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir.
He noted that a team comprising representatives from several ministries including Amerindian Affairs is working out the modalities to execute the programme. The centres will be outfitted with a bank of computers, reliable power supply, and internet connectivity, and persons will have to be trained to teach villagers.
The execution strategy is already being mapped out and will be rolled out in a few villages within months.
With regard to the construction of a cell tower at Aishalton, Prime Minister Hinds explained that Guyana Telephone and Telegraph had proposed to instal a tower there; however, it has not yet done so. He added that Digicel is currently making a study for the erection of a tower at Annai.
Other concerns raised include support for playfield, child care, public assistance, and provision of boats, engines and tractors. (GINA)