STRESSING that the National Toshaos Council (NTC) is one of Guyana’s vital democratic institutions, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock on Monday sounded a clear warning to Toshaos and village leaders who fail to account for village assets.
Speaking at the 12th annual NTC Conference, themed “Preserving our past, protecting our future”, Allicock made it clear that accountability is the cornerstone of democracy.
“Attempts to use this institution by anyone for the furtherance of any selfish, narrow or personal or partisan objective must be rejected. Our leaders on the executive level must know we will not condone positions taken arbitrarily on matters which are critical to our lives and well-being,” he said.

Additionally, the minister, who hails from the village of Surama, Region 9 said, “Toshaos who cannot give account for village assets will face the law.” He told the gathering of leaders that over time Toshaos have used village assets for their personal gain and have failed to account for millions of dollars belonging to their respective communities.
“I must say we have not gone to take anybody to court for mismanagement of village funds but I would like to signal to the Toshaos that…who have property at their homes and cannot give account for the funds they were given responsibility for, you would be called to answer. We still have a few persons who do not want to hand over keys…you did not go into that position on your own, people put you there,” Allicock stated.
Such disregard for the assets of communities must stop or those guilty will face the full brunt of the law. He called on the newly elected village leaders to get their books in order, “because if you don’t you will face the law.”

Meanwhile, Allicock has recommended that in the amended Amerindian Act, there be the inclusion of provisions which speaks to the recalling of elected leaders at both the village and NTC executive levels.

“I believe that we must have a system of recall to protect us from the bite of our own ants,” the Minister declared. He reminded leaders that they were elected by residents of their communities and respect must be shown towards them.

Pointing to the recently concluded village elections, the Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister said their election to office is by virtue of their hard work.

“It is testimony to the voters’ wish to move away from the way things have been for some time, to a more progressive developmental agenda. Our people are moving away from listening to the divisive political messages of despair and placing their focus and energies on their developmental needs. Our people are more and more every day demonstrating their trust, appreciation and admiration for a government which is listening to them and demonstrating its commitment to delivering to them the public goods and services they are entitled to as citizens of Guyana,” Allicock stated.

Meanwhile, he called on village leaders to focus on the development of their communities, to build on what currently exists so that in time, residents can benefit from modernity. He reminded that every indigenous person has a voice and that voice must be sounded.
He urged leaders to be positive instead of listening to the gloom and doom situation painted by those “who have selfish desires.” “We must elect persons who place a high premium on accountability…after three years I am happy to say we are more respectful, we allow persons to share their ideas, discuss them so we can plan.”
Allicock called on the indigenous leaders to seek to restore respect and integrity. “No longer will there be allegations of unlawful, indecent and embarrassing behaviour,” he stated.

The NTC conference will conclude on Friday.