– Garrido-Lowe says projects geared at generating income, creating the good life

THE Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has made provisions in the 2019 National Budget to create a better environment and life for the poor and vulnerable, said Junior Subject Minister, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, while defending her ministry during the first round of the 2019 budget debates on Monday.

Garrido-Lowe’s ministry was questioned intensely by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Yvonne Pearson, who accused the minister and her senior minister of not doing enough for the indigenous and hinterland people.

“Since this government took office, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has been focusing on building the capacity of our Indigenous and hinterland people…We do not believe in handouts, we believe in empowering people and giving them the economic support required so that they can create successful and meaningful lives for themselves,” argued Minister Garrido-Lowe in her defence of the ministry.

She said her ministry has been doing a lot to improve the lives of the indigenous people of the country, adding that testimony to their forward movement is the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme which has provided training to 3,795 young people in over 222 villages within two years.
HEYS was however criticised by Pearson who said that from 2016-2018 some $2.3 billion was spent but she has not seen any transformation.

The minster however had a different view, noting that approximately 2,054 small businesses were established by the same young people from villages such as Tipiru and Achiwib in Region Nine, and Monkey Mountain and Red Creek in Region Eight.

“Name the villages and the people who established businesses because 2054 is not accurate,” said Pearson in her fierce debate.

Pearson continuously called on the minister to “bring the evidence,” and with no hesitation, the minister sought to present that evidence in her presentation, noting that $2.3Billion was budgeted for the development of hinterland youths.

“A further $176.1Million has been allocated for monitoring and mentoring, along with additional monetary support for the hinterland youths,” said the minister.

In keeping with the government’s ‘green’ state initiative, the ministry will be investing some $60 million into innovative and sustainable income generating projects in the hinterland.

She said the projects are expected to create jobs and create income for residents in several villages such as Tobago Hill, Maruwanau, Bina Hill and Santa Cruz.

Other innovative and income generating projects, she said, were the Cassava Flour Processing Factory in Kwebana which received a further $16 million investment and a $6 million solar power system at the Smith’s Creek Crab Processing facility. There will also be a $5 million drier for the sun-dried tomato facility in Paramakatoi.

There will also be the construction of a $15Million Ground Coffee Processing Facility which is expected to create employment and benefit hundreds in Santa Rosa.

“These projects will directly impact the poor and the vulnerable by creating employment and generating income in these communities, thus raising the standard of living and providing the opportunity for our Indigenous brothers and sisters to live a good life,” said Minister Garrido-Lowe.

She said part of the relief will be for children in Chenapau and Karisparu, who travel two and a half days to reach their secondary school. In an effort to assist, two shelters will be constructed to the tune of $4 million, for the students to rest.

Communities within the Hinterland regions will also get $36 Million to promote their nine Indigenous Languages. The sum of $3Million has also been allocated to support the Lapidary project in Region Eight for the purchase of the jewel boxes and bags crafted by the Indigenous people themselves.

In order to let indigenous people transact business with ease in Georgetown, $28Million will be dedicated for an extension of the Indigenous Residence Princes Street, Georgetown.