MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, on Tuesday met with residents of Santa Rosa, Koko and Kamwatta, Region 1, where she held meetings to update residents on the recently concluded 2014 National Budget. 

The Minister sought to enlighten the residents on the cuts made to the national budget and the impact they will ultimately have on their lives and the development of the country at large.
The first meeting was held at the Santa Rosa Secondary School, and was well attended by residents, including Community Support Officers (CSOs). There the village’s Toshao, Richard Cornelius, noted that following the

outcome of the budget, they have joined with the rest of those affected in condemning the cuts to the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF).
Cornelius said that, personally, he feels betrayed by the Opposition parliamentarians, and urged that they explain the reasoning behind the cuts.
“These people show no regard for us, the first people, they never come to our community so they cannot know what our needs are, so how can they sit in parliament and determine that we do not need money?” he asked.
Hence, the Toshao called on the combined Opposition to let good sense prevail, and restore the cuts.

In addition, Permanent Secretary for the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, Nigel Dharamlall, in his address to the residents, called on them to unite and not be intimidated, but let their voices be heard.
He told the residents that as a result of the non-approval of funds to the ministry’s capital budget, several critical developmental projects will be affected, not only for their community, but also for the other 187 Amerindian communities around the country.

The Permanent Secretary added that the Government will explore every possible legal avenue to ensure that the funds are restored.
Meanwhile, Minister Sukhai said she was disheartened by the outcome of the recent budget, as the cuts will have devastating impacts on not only Amerindians, but the country at large.
On the issue of the cuts to the Amerindian Affairs Budget, the Minister said the further development of youths in 187 hinterland communities will be affected. The Opposition cut the entire capital budget of $1.1B from the Ministry.
More specifically, a benab for Santa Rosa will not be a reality, as funding for that project fell under the capital expenditure, which was not approved by the combined Opposition. The minister told residents that several training programmes for youths have been affected. Most importantly, funding for the CSOs was cut.
According to Minister Sukhai, the plan this year was to increase the number of CSOs which would have meant more employment and capacity building for

other interested youths, but that will now be put on hold.
“Every time we meet with communities, we hear that there are not employment opportunities and many youths cannot afford to move out of their communities to seek employment or training in preparation for employment, so the CSO programme was geared specifically to target that issue.”
Another area of development which will be hampered by the outcome of the National Budget will be the wood working facility for the Moruca area. This facility would have been able to provide employment opportunities, as well as generate income for the community.
Funds for the Wood Working facility were also allocated under the ministry’s capital budget for 2014.

Meanwhile, over at Koko, where another outreach meeting was held, the residents were eager to hear how the cuts would affect them and more so, were prepared with questions. The Minister went into details about the disapproval of the ADF.
Projects affected are the National Secure Livelihood Programme and Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme, the construction of village offices and multipurpose buildings, purchase of sport gear, musical instruments, drip irrigation systems, tractors and implements and support for other projects and programmes including eco-tourism. Additionally affected was youth development and empowerment, which speak to the focus of ensuring secure indigenous livelihood by developing the capacity and capability of the youth.
The residents were told of programmes in their community, which would be affected. While the Minister zeroed in on the cuts to the Amerindian Affairs Budget, she also shed light on cuts to the Minister of Public Works’ Budget.
Minister Sukhai pointed out to residents that the disapproval of the Public Works’ budget will mean that rehabilitation works on several hinterland airstrips will be halted, thus putting pressure on residents of hinterland communities.
“When the airstrips are not up to scratch and the aircraft owners do not want to come to these locations, then it would mean food prices will go up…”
The minister further called on residents to remain resolute and do what is necessary to ensure that what is rightfully theirs is restored.
On the other hand, residents expressed their feeling of betrayal by the combined Opposition who, they say, only visits their communities when it best suits them.
In addition, over at Kamwatta, where another meeting was held on Tuesday evening, residents expressed similar sentiments. Speaking on the cuts to the Health Sector Budget, the Minister went into details about the impact and the trickledown effect for Amerindian communities.

The minister explained to residents that the disapproval of funds to the health sector will now mean that there will be no specialised medical treatment for all Guyanese. Hence, patients with complicated health issues will still have to seek much needed medical attention overseas at a very high cost to the Government, and private sector as well.
“Only recently, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health had to find resources to send two Amerindian children to Trinidad for medical attention because the services they need are not available here.”
The Minister noted that if the funds were approved for the construction of the specialty hospital, this would reduce and ultimately eliminate the need for highly expensive trips for citizens to seek medical attention overseas.
The 2014 Budget was presented to the National Assembly on March 24, but several sectors were affected as the combined Opposition voted against funding for key development.
A total of $37.46 billion was slashed from the Budget. The Health Ministry suffered a cut to the tune of $910 million. Under this funding, the specialty hospital project has been quashed along with several other critical developmental projects.
Some of these include the provision of specialised clinical services for all Guyanese and procurement of modern ambulances.

Also, the parliamentary Opposition parties voted against the $6.5 billion which was allocated under the Ministry of Public Works, for the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
In addition, in their move to disapprove the $18.5B for initiatives under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), the Opposition joined forces to cut the entire policy and administration capital budget, totalling $22.3B. The Amaila Falls Hydro and the Cunha canal projects were among those affected.
Funds totalling $5.1 billion for Office of the President and several other key agencies which fall under its purview were also been voted against by the Parliamentary Opposition.

(GINA)