-says party seeking to mislead public  
The fifth and final day of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) meeting concluded yesterday with deliberations centered on a statement issued by the Alliance for Change (AFC), which saw toshaos and village councillors refuting the claims and condemning the party’s actions.
The opposition party earlier issued a statement which claimed that several toshaos had complained that government has not been allowing their voices to be heard and as such, has planned a press conference for July 30, to ensure that their requests were fulfilled.
Chairperson of the NTC, Yvonne Pearson, also called on toshaos to voice concerns, if indeed the statement is a true reflection of them. However, the leaders all responded in the negative, noting that the AFC is seeking to mislead the public.
President Bharrat Jagdeo then allowed the leaders an opportunity to voice their grievances, if any, noting that it has always been the government’s policy of portraying transparency, accountability and good-governance in its programmes and policies.

Michael Williams, Toshao of Annai who was appalled by the statement, called on the leaders to speak out, and encourage them not to be misled by detractors who only want to create mischief.
“Nowhere in the world has there ever been a village leader speaking openly to any leader, and we can boast of having that privilege. So how can we go out there and say that you were not given an opportunity to speak, I’m very saddened,” he said.
James George, Toshao of Moco Moco, while lauding government for the many successes in his community, pledged the continued loyal support of the entire community, to the PPP/C Government.
“On behalf of my community I would like to thank the Government of Guyana and more so, the president for the many developments we can boast of having today. Come elections day, we the people of Moco Moco will support the present government,” he said.
Government also came in for high praise from Toshao of Sand Hills, Andre Lindee, who stated that under the leadership of the present administration, Amerindians are seen and respected as normal people.
“I want to thank you (President Jagdeo), for what you are doing for Amerindians across the country. Our educational advancement increased in a massive way…we got a brand new school, teacher’s house and village office,” he added.

President Jagdeo during a press briefing after the NTC conference expressed disgust at the AFC’s recent statement, noting that it is another effort by the party to score cheap political mileage.
“Several times we asked the entire room if anyone hadn’t the chance to adequately air his/her view, if they could do this and, they all said, to the last person, not a single person said that they hadn’t had an adequate opportunity to air their views.”
The head of the state, while deploring the AFC for using the annual occasion to create division among toshaos, said that the statement was intended to generate discontent among the Amerindian leaders.
The highly successful five-days of interactions with decision makers saw the leaders voicing their concerns and making requests for additional interventions to be added to the list of ‘fulfilled promises’.
Many benefited from the distribution of ATVs, brush cutters and transportation arrangements to benefit school children come September. (GINA)