… handed over for development projects in non-mining communities
THE economic activities in Amerindian communities will be boosted with the transfer of royalties collected from mining in these communities. Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, yesterday presented a cheque for $49M to Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai, representing royalties for the period 2006 to 2011.
The cheque was presented in the boardroom of the Natural Resources Ministry at its Shiv Chanderpaul Drive location.
The money will be transferred to a fund which the minister, under the Amerindian Act is designated to name.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, stated that it is important to note that since February 2011, a mechanism was put in place to provide the protocol and procedures for the use of the funds.
The fund is expected to benefit Amerindian villages that do not engage in mining or do not fall within the mining districts. This was determined from the formulation of the Amerindian Act and those who worked on its creation.
Minister Sukhai deemed it ‘a red letter day” in the history of development for Amerindians, whereby more funds and opportunities for villages to submit for approval projects which they had proposed.
She added that villagers can access up to $300,000 dollars to supplement village projects.
However, in accessing the funds, communities must seek village consent to apply for the money.
The committees that will review proposals and decide on the disbursements are drawn from the National Toashaos Council (NTC) and the Amerindian Affairs Ministry.
Since February of last year, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs devised ways on how the funds will be disbursed, ensuring that one community will not have the entire sum while others are disadvantaged. The money is basically to benefit families, Minister Sukhai said.
Meanwhile, Minister Robert Persaud, in his remarks, said the move is in fulfillment of one of the requirements of the Amerindian Act 51.3, which requires the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to transfer 20 percent of royalties from mining activities in Amerindian titled or declared areas for the benefit of other Amerindian communities.
The funds will allow the Amerindian Affairs Ministry and the National Toashaos Council to be involved in projects that would bring about improvement in the living conditions and economic status of the indigenous people.
Mining in Amerindian communities is a very sensitive issue for the government; as such, it has undertaken to appoint a specialist to deal with the issue in Amerindian communities.
Minister Persaud said government is hoping that, with such intervention, it can remove some of the misconceptions by promoting and accelerating development.
In addition, it can reduce conflicts, animosity and suspicion between the mining and Amerindian communities.
“Presently, the ministry is looking at ways to revise protocols and improve regulations, and have set up a committee dedicated to addressing concerns and dealing with issues relating to mining entrepreneurs in Amerindian communities”, Persaud added.
The work of the committee has already commenced, Minister Persaud reported.
He assured that government is ensuring that the royalties from mining are administered to benefit all.
Meanwhile, further questioned on the use of the funds, Minister Sukhai made it clear that the money will not be used to pay any debt that the villages incur, as there will be strict financial accountability, as is the case with all government financing.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will be working along with the Amerindian Affairs Ministry to ensure that the money is used for its intended purpose.
Minister Persaud in response to the question posed by the media on the amount of the funds noted that it is a substantial amount, given the price for gold and the increase in activities here.
He added that the mineral wealth and resources belong to all the people of the country; but the immediate beneficiaries can be those communities which are sometimes greater than the percentage that comes to the State itself.
Mining communities are receiving direct payments from their arrangement with miners, and the government is taking their royalties and sharing it with communities and settlements that need additional support.
Chairman of the GGMC Joseph Singh, Commissioner of GGMC Karen Livan, Commissioner of GGMC Rickford Vieira, and Deputy Commissioner Kampta Persaud, Chairperson of the National Toshaos Council, Yvonne Pearson, and Indigenous Peoples Specialist, Ashton Simon all witnessed the handing over of the cheque.
Permanent Secretaries of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and Amerindian Affairs Ministry were also present.