NTC 2013 focuses on good governance –President Ramotar calls it important prerequisite for development

Written by Vanessa Narine
PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar’s opening address at the five-day National Toshaos Conference (NTC) 2013 made it clear that the theme, ‘Culture of Good Governance for sustained village economies’, captures an important prerequisite for development.

Nigel Dharamlall, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, chaired the ceremony.
Nigel Dharamlall, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, chaired the ceremony.
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai addressing the NTC 2013 conference opening yesterday.
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai addressing the NTC 2013 conference opening yesterday.
‘PACKED’: A section of the Conference Centre at the NTC opening yesterday
‘PACKED’: A section of the Conference Centre at the NTC opening yesterday
A section of the attendance at yesterday’s opening session
A section of the attendance at yesterday’s opening session
The youths of St. Cuthbert’s Mission stage a cultural display at the opening session
The youths of St. Cuthbert’s Mission stage a cultural display at the opening session

Addressing those gathered at the Guyana International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, for the occasion which is now in its seventh year, the President said accountability and transparency are serious issues.
The President told the gathering, which included Leader of the Opposition, members of Cabinet and Members of Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps, top law enforcement officials, toshaos and other village leaders: “At the national level, we have been struggling with this for a while now. This is the culture we have been building for the last two decades. It is not easy to move to change…culture change is always a difficult thing to do.”

Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai echoed similar sentiments in her address. She said that establishing a culture of good governance is a practice that is critical to sustained village development.

CONFLICTS
Pointing to what she considered serious shortcomings that need to be addressed, Minister Sukhai said that, recently, a number of audits were done and a number of complicated conflicts were exposed by reports from the Auditor General’s Office. Moreover, she said, it became necessary for the Ministry to intervene to resolve community conflictions.
“I implore (you): as leaders, you must lead by example; ensure that you maximize the resources available to you, and improve accountability. And work towards reducing instances of diverting village funds and resources to unintended uses,” Sukhai said, as she pointed to the need to improve administration of village assets which are used to support the village and provide needed services.

She noted that politically motivated factions of the villages have employed destructive methods to resolve differences at the council and community levels, and she said that is another issue that needs to be addressed.
Sukhai said a further challenge facing Amerindian communities is that of leadership. The minister acknowledged she is aware that members of the village councils have a history of engaging their partners to implement small developmental projects, and that opportunities for this practice to flourish are currently widely available. However, she urged village councils to be on guard and take the lead on projects, thus not allowing themselves to be led by their partners.
Sukhai cited the Youth Entrepreneurial Project as an example of the foregoing. “The Government’s support for important projects and programmes, as requested by you, is put on the front burner not for complimentary remarks, but (so that the projects can be implemented)…. Leaders of communities should put aside their political allegiances and see that the young people of today (participate in the projects and programmes. They) need to make their own choices; they are more empowered to do so. Also, (leaders should) allow them to take advantage of the opportunities that are before them,” Sukhai said.

OPPORTUNITY
The minister urged those in attendance to recognise NTC 2013 as an opportunity “to engage His Excellency and Cabinet Ministers is an encounter that depicts the democratic culture, which is strengthened”.
“This NTC meeting allows leaders to take a national approach to coordinating and integrating their activities; examining strategies and plans that range from poverty reduction, health and education, water, infrastructure, conservation, as well as livelihood and sustainable economic development; all of which have bearing on the development of the Amerindian people,” she said; adding that the meeting also provides an opportunity for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to address issues in a collective.

Chair of the NTC, Derrick John, concurring with the minister’s remarks, added that Amerindian and hinterland development receives a major push at these meetings.
He said the resolutions made at the NTC meeting last August were realised, leading up to the meeting; and that leaders are challenged with adapting to the impacts of climate change, which are affecting livelihoods, youth employment and poverty reduction.
He, however, urged that all leaders remain committed to serve in the various capacities in which they are currently engaged, as this would create a legacy that would inspire others. “Good governance will help us fight these challenges,” the NTC Chair said.
John said there is much potential in the stakeholder group at NTC 2013, both in human and natural terms, especially within Amerindian communities; and all of this potential must be employed to advance and develop the Amerindian people.
In the next five days, those in attendance will have opportunity to engage subject ministers on different sector issues; President Ramotar in a discussion; and address topical issues such as legislative concerns, mining, the role of the police, forestry matters, and community development projects (CDPs).
Resolution papers are expected to record the way forward at the end of the week’s activities.

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