– cuts Ministry’s $1.1B capital budget

GOVERNMENT’S effort towards Amerindian development this year has again been placed in jeopardy as the National Assembly last evening only approved $454M of the $1.554B that was set out for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs for 2014.In general, the National Assembly has not approved the maximum amount of $1.1B which was allocated for the Amerindian Development Fund’s (ADF) projects and programmes, which specifically target and encourage self-sufficiency, and economic and social development in the hinterland.
This places in peril the provision for the Secure Livelihood and Youth Entrepreneurship which targets the transformation of economies of Amerindian villages and hinterland communities through several forms of economic diversification.
The allocation for the ADF also covered a $796M provision for the continuation of the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) and its expansion to Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10. This YEAP programme which was introduced in 2013 and launched in Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9 was funded under a budgetary provision of $200M.
YEAP addresses youth development and empowerment, and also speaks to the focus of ensuring secure indigenous livelihood by developing the capacity and capability of the youth, to match and support the development of enterprise initiatives needed or being embarked upon within their communities and region.
The funding under the ADF also covered the construction of village offices and multi-purpose buildings, purchase of sport gear, musical instruments, drip irrigation systems, tractors and implements and support for other projects and programmes including eco-tourism.
The combined Opposition did not approve the funding on the grounds that the development measures being rolled out for the Amerindian people were being used instead by Government to manipulate Amerindians in spite of Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai explaining the benefits.
In fact, the House was told that using the US$6 million allocation to the ADF in 2013 would have seen an initial 26 out of 188 villages commencing the implementation of community development projects (CDPs). Each of the 26 villages was given $5M for their investment in a socio-economic project which aims to transform their village’s economy.
Of the $454M that was approved for the ministry, the allocations would provide mainly for improving transportation needs of the hinterland communities.
Approved was $13.5M for the purchase of water transport, inclusive of boats and engines and $20M for the purchase of Land transport vehicles such as All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and motorcycles.
Also approved was $66.6M for to the Hinterland Scholarship Programme, $6M for rehabilitation of the Amerindian Hostel building in Georgetown and $3M for the purchase of office furniture and equipment including air conditioning units, desk, chairs, filing cabinets, fans and refrigerator.
The Opposition’s disapproval of the 2014 ADF provision, however, as per the Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman’s ruling, remains just a proposal, that will be decided when the members sit in plenary.
When the consideration of the National 2014 estimates began on Wednesday, the Speaker proposed guidelines for the consideration of the estimates including constituting a sub-committee of the Committee of Supply with no less than seven members, four from the Opposition, and three from government, and to be chaired by the Speaker.
The purpose of this Committee will be to examine proposals for amendments and to find consensus or agreement where possible, and thereafter to report to the Committee of Supply.

Amerindian Development was affected in 2013 when the National Assembly cut the funding to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), affecting the solar electrification programme for small cottage industries in the hinterland and the construction and upgrading of access roads through many Amerindian villages in Regions 7 and 8, among others.

(GINA)