MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Pauline Sukhai told residents of Toka in Central Rupununi, last Saturday afternoon: “United we stand, divided we fall.”

She gave the admonition when she addressed them briefly after listening to issues they raised during a visit there on an outreach in Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).
She had been informed of the division in the Village Council on the Amerindian Act, as regards non-Amerindians holding elected positions in the local authority.
She advised them on the laws and the Act which govern the activities of Amerindian Community Councils, villages and settlements.
Sukhai handed over a tractor and trailer for use by the villagers, who updated her on education, health, land and population census matters.
As regards managing and maintaining the donated equipment, she also indicated that other projects and grants are available on submission of proposals.
She was petitioned, too, on education, shortage of teachers and the need for a school to further the students after the grade six examinations since there is an accommodation problem at the nearby Annai School.
The minister was advised, as well, that the land presently allocated cannot be used for agricultural cultivation unless the boundaries are extended.
About the population census, Sukhai undertook to make representation for all the villages in the region to be accounted for in the programme.