… Minister Sukhai checks on progress
FOR a number of years, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has been reaching out to Amerindian communities to make interventions that would better their lives, and to listen to their concerns.
Over the weekend, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, visited two villages in Region 8 – Campbelltown and Micobie, and held meetings with residents. At both villages, emphasis was placed on the preparedness of the communities for their village council elections.

Minister Sukhai indicated her satisfaction with the progress made, particularly since both villages had completed their nominations and had their voters’ and candidates’ lists strategically displayed.
She recognised that while there will be some amount of competition, everyone must be in support of the elected village council.
Minister Sukhai urged that the council effect its mandate with respect, fairness and reasonableness, and address the concerns of the residents.

She explained that her visit to the communities had several objectives, including the over-seeing of the audit of the village council’s financial records, which is catered for in the Amerindian Act. This states that the Minister of Amerindian Affairs may conduct audits. For this year, two villages in every sub-district will be randomly selected for the audit exercise.
Minister Sukhai was satisfied that the team conducting the audit was able to complete the process in one day, with the support of the council.
Despite challenges, Minister Sukhai stated that it is expected that every village council would show interest in its financial situation; she reminded those concerned that the Amerindian Act also stipulates that every three months the Council must report to the village concerning the health of its finances.
“I am pleased to announce that since December, attention has been paid to the component that brings in the most income, and that is the potential to get village funds from mining,” she explained.
While development efforts are recognisable in the village, Minister Sukhai expressed her dissatisfaction that the village project, a guest house, is not being managed well. She urged that the construction be speeded up.
The minister urged that when the village council is embarking on a project, there must be consensus among members of the community, for when there is no general agreement, the level of failure is high.
During the audit process, the Council presented an inventory of the village’s assets.
She also pointed out that the Council faces a challenge with its accounting system, and advised that receipts for payments are issued.
When money is spent, it must be authorised and documented in the ledger, with current balances inserted.

Minister Sukhai urged that the voters’ list be checked by all the residents so as to ensure their names are included.
In addition, the minister noted that since her last visit to the community, there has been much development, as is evident from the village’s new benab, the on-going construction of a church, and the community’s general advancement.
She added that evidently the work the council has put in to mobilise and organise the residents is paying off.
“Village development is not the responsibility of the village council alone, it is the responsibility of every single member of the village,” Minister Sukhai said.
Many villages have challenges mobilising support for community development, as people place the responsibility solely on the village leaders; however, that is not the case in Micobie.
She encouraged the villagers to continue to develop and expand their community project.
Minister Sukhai acknowledged that while mining is one of the most lucrative ventures in Region 8, the community needs to diversify, and she commended villagers for maintaining the road leading to the community.
The team from the ministry spent some time with the Micobie Village Council perusing their financial records.
Residents of the two communities were able to raise their concerns with the minister some of which touched on mining, pensions, health, training of more rangers, village boundaries, and controlling acoushi ants.
These village interactions were a part of a joint ministerial visit to the Region with Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud.