AMERINDIAN Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai has denied claims by A Partnership for National unity (APNU) MP, Sydney Allicock that there was little or no development in Amerindian communities. In defense of the 2012 Estimates, Minister Sukhai noted that significant progress had been made in Amerindian communities through several Government initiatives in the hinterland, aimed at strengthening the village economy and advancing community development.
Refuting Allicock’s comments for the budget to be transformed into one that sees Guyana’s indigenous people benefiting from large projects, Minister Sukhai cited some of the most impacting developmental programmes undertaken by the PPP/C Government to ensure economic and social development of Amerindians. One such programme concerned the Presidential Grant.
Minister Sukhai told the National Assembly that, under the present administration, a significant amount of resources had been provided to lay the foundation for Amerindian village councils and villagers to manage economic projects.
The programme targets 187 communities, which have invested in agriculture, transportation, village commerce, and eco-tourism, she informed the House.
Sukhai pointed out that the benefits from those projects have trickled down directly to the level of the community, where approximately 300 permanent and 250 temporary jobs had been created, such as shop attendants, boat captains, drivers, guest house managers, and project managers.
She specifically pointed to the Moruca Credit Scheme and Development Trust, which was successfully resuscitated, as another initiative geared to benefit Amerindians in the Moruca sub-region of Region One.
“To date, 46 loans have been approved, totalling $4,370,000, for the financing of micro and medium commercial enterprises in that sub-region,” she disclosed.
She also referred to the National Hinterland Secure Livelihood programme, which is another investment the PPP/C Government had made over the past three years. It offers prospects for sustainable livelihoods, despite challenges.
Bee-keeping; the creation of more marketable value-added products for crabwood oil, in which villagers were taught to manufacture the products utilising the newly acquired technology; ginger and pineapple farming; crab processing and hassar rearing were included among Government’s sustainability efforts in Amerindian communities, Amerindian Affairs Minister Sukhai added.
She also used the opportunity to dispel misinformation carried in recent media reports that there was no hassar in the ponds in Tobago Hill, stating that the Community Development Officer (CDO) and the Canadian Aboriginal Interns had, on April 3, verified that there were hassars in the ponds.
Meanwhile, the specialist has advised the primary stakeholders that the fish are bottom-dwellers and will not surface with regularity.
Sukhai rapped the media for misinformation in their attempts to discredit the Amerindian Affairs Ministry and the subject minister without due regard for the facts of the matter. She added that Tobago Village was constantly supported, as residents were still adapting to their new environment following their resettlement, and were coping with the accompanying challenges.
Sukhai also responded to Allicock’s calls for revision of the Amerindian Act, to address issues of indigenous land rights and territorial rights. She noted that the Act was known for its recognition of indigenous land rights through full and absolute collective title, which was constitutionally guaranteed against being taken by the state.
The Act is also known for giving statutory recognition to the inextricable cultural and spiritual relationship Amerindians have with their lands.
Sukhai said she was disappointed at the absurdity of the call, noting that it was an indication of Allicock’s denial that Amerindians were capable of effectively formulating a legal process for addressing issues of land rights.
“It (The call) can be interpreted as a stated position of APNU,” she added, as she cautioned Allicock against publicly signalling any disconnect between Amerindians and the rest of the nation.
To substantiate her argument, Sukhai cited the Amerindian Act 2006, which she said respects the autonomy of Amerindian villages by implementing a political system that empowers Amerindians to elect their own officials, who were mandated to create their own village rules, in consonance with existing laws and in consultation with the members of the community.