We frequently hear of charges of marginalisation of a particular ethnic group in Guyana, especially from the political opposition but our indigenous people since the colonisation of this country have been victims, perhaps, more than any other ethnic group.
Both during the colonial and post independence era Amerindians in Guyana were relegated to third class citizens with hardly any opportunities to improve their educational status and living standards. This situation was compounded by the fact that they mostly lived and still live in the remote parts of the country. Consequently, poverty levels in Amerindian communities were very high as well as severely lagging in living standard compared to their coastal and urban counterparts.
However, with the advent of the PPP/C government in 1992 consistent efforts have been made to improve the lives of Amerindians and today we can proudly declare that much has been achieved in this regard albeit much more need to be done. But no one can deny that there has been a dramatic improvement in all aspects of their lives as we have seen in many Amerindian communities across the country more schools and health facilities built; improved access to potable water, electricity and housing; better roads and transportation facilities, and more opportunities for agriculture, economic and commercial ventures.
One would have thought that the entire country would have been happy to see the lives of the first people who set foot on this land continuously being improved. Unfortunately, this is not the case because the political Opposition have been making deliberate efforts to stall Amerindian development by using their combined one-seat majority to cut funds earmarked for this purpose.
In the first instance, they instituted a cut of funds allocated under the LCDS, which is heavily focused on Amerindian empowerment and development throughout the country.
Their latest move in further stalling of Amerindian development is an AFC motion brought before the National Assembly to cut $300M in supplementary funding for projects and programmes in Amerindian communities.
Reacting to the motion, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, said she was extremely appalled at the AFC leader.
“This motion clearly demonstrates the bias and contempt towards Amerindian development in Guyana and provides further evidence that the AFC is intentionally and maliciously stifling the Amerindian people,” the minister said.
Ms. Sukhai’s response is understandable and correct but in addition this act by the AFC is a demonstration of playing political games with people’s lives.
No political party that is genuinely interested in the development of its country and people would play political games of this nature.
But this is not surprising because ever since it gained its combined one-seat majority the opposition has been using crucial national issues to hold the government to ransom and attempt to wring political concessions and make demands.
In the political arena it is all well and good for political parties to make demands and attempt to wring concessions, however, it is unacceptable to do this by using issues of crucial national importance.
The Opposition should realise that the nation is closely watching these intrigues of the Opposition and will definitely give their verdict when the opportunity arises. Notably, it may turn out to be one which the Opposition would be unhappy with.
