SEVERAL more Rupununi residents, including a toshao,  councillors and a community development officer, have reacted angrily to the statement, in the National Assembly, by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP), Mr. Sydney Allicock.

They have publically condemned Allicock for what he said during the continuing debate on the 2013 National Budget that “Rupuruni is the most backward community in the Caribbean.”
Toshao of Fairview, Mr. Albertini Peters declared that the assertion is an embarrassment to the Amerindian people of the district, because, over the past ten years, they have been able to live, move and work more comfortably as jobs, health and education services has seen tremendous improvement.
He charged that Allicock is a disgrace to his people and has been, for many years, blind to development of any nature in his home village, more so Rupununi.
Senior councillor of Wowetta Village, Mr. Bertie Xavier, who said he learnt of the erroneous declaration via the Internet, summoned a meeting of villagers to inform them about it.
He said the government, through the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, has done so much to assist communities across Guyana and, because the implementation of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) has also assisted with more special projects, it is grossly unfair for an MP to make such remarks in Parliament.
Xavier recalled that, only three months ago, Allicock’s village of Surama benefitted from the annual Presidential Grant of $500,000 and it was able to get a minibus to aid with transporting students to schools in the Annai area.
He said Allicock was present at the handing over ceremony for the vehicle and made comments in support of the government assistance for the development of Rupuruni.
Xavier said other notable projects at Surama were the fencing of the airstrip and the building of roads in the village.
Community Development Officer of North Rupununi, Ms. Pristila Torez said she felt betrayed, since she had worked tirelessly on preparing projects for the villages to secure grants for developing the Amerindian people.
She said the description by Allicock is untrue and the evidence of development is in the sight of all the people in Rupununi.
Meanwhile, residents are expected to stage a protest when Opposition Leader David Granger pays an expected visit to Rupuruni today.