With just a little over the first hundred days in office, the Donald Ramotar government has been able to continue on what his predecessor started, which no other government has done in the history of this country—that is lighting up the hinterland. This idea, aimed at delivering to the Amerindians was hatched by a previous PPP/C government. This is happening with the delivery of 1,888 solar systems under the aegis of the Hinterland Electrification Programme, a manifestation of truth and honesty.
The Hinterland Electricity Programme was launched in 2005 when the government had strong thoughts about sustainable electrification of the Hinterland.
However, a lot of studies and pilot testing had to be carried out to ascertain the most suitable option for electrification for households, and it was not until last year November that the first shipment of solar systems was sent to Region Nine. It is to be noted that the first shipment accounted for 1,000 Solar systems and to date 1,888 solar systems have been dispatched to the hinterland.
The programme caters for the delivery of 11,000 solar home systems in about 184 communities. The delivery of an essential service of this magnitude in the hinterland calls for a lot of courage, something that has been quite recognizable with this government while being just over a hundred days in office. Guyana’s hinterland region is dominated by mostly Amerindians of different tribes who incidentally were the first people to set foot on our soil a few centuries ago.
Over the decades however, they were being treated by the previous successive PNC governments with scant disrespect and as third class citizens. They were, in fact, left to brave the wilds, using their indigenous means and skills to protect themselves while at the same time eke out a living.
These people who are the pioneers of, especially, our hinterland have lived in abject poverty and backwardness until 1992 when the current PPP/C government came into power, breaking a 28-year spell of PNC rule. Indeed this was the turning point in the lives of all Guyanese including the Amerindians as the wind of change in 1992, also brought sweeping changes to the Amerindian villages.
In the past these people were destined for the hinterland to continue living in backwardness. Not so now. Things have changed and today, thanks to the PPP/C governments, like other Guyanese sisters and brothers, Amerindians are treated with dignity, and for the first time in their lives, they have become a significant branch of the Guyana family tree, and are contributing meaningfully to the economy of this country.
There are Amerindians who are doctors and nurses, teachers, policemen and women, in government offices, ministers of the government and journalists, only to  name some of the areas in which they perform diligently. They have also been given titles to the lands on which they live. This is another first for the PPP/C government.
The hinterland has a lot of potential, and while in the past the absence of electricity might have been a demotivating factor, the ingenuity of the people was tested to the core. Now with the solar systems they, especially children, could use the resulting electricity to further their studies and become better citizens to their communities and Guyana as a whole.
We are certain that the provision of electricity in the hinterland would be the catalyst for the further development of the areas in which the people live and the Amerindian people as a whole.
We are also aware that Amerindians are a very innovative and crafty people with a determined temperament that would deliver the desired results. A classic example of this could best be illustrated, when they wander off on hunting and fishing trips. On either of these trips, it is a rarity for them to return to their villages empty-handed.
With electricity they will now rise to bigger things and at the same time improve the quality of life in several of their villages.