…says Toshao of Waramuri

THOUGH the Indigenous Community has strongly endorsed the granting of communal lands to Amerindian Villages, it poses a challenge when attempting to access large sums of finance from commercial banks here in Guyana.

This is according to Toshao of Waramuri. During a discourse with the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, the Toshao said though the issuance of Communal Lands is in keeping with the Amerindian Act, it has the potential to deprive Indigenous People of much needed financial resources.

In support of his position, the Waramuri Toshao shared his own experience. The Toshao detailed that recently he approached a commercial bank for a loan and after submitting his documents, inclusive of a ‘title’ from the local village council, he was informed that he was not eligible for the amount sought.

“Looking at my salary as a public servant they told me that according to my salary I am entitled to a loan from the bank in the sum of $10M but because of the land title, which is communal, they were very sorry to say, that they cannot grant such an amount but we can assist you with $500, 000,” the Toshao told the Attorney General.

He enquired what systems can be put in place to allow for Indigenous people to have easy access to finance particularly from commercial banks.

Minister Williams, in his response, reminded that the Grants of Communal Lands to Amerindian Villages and Communities are aligned with the Amerindian Act, Cap 29:01. However, he noted that the Ministry of Legal Affairs, and by extension, the Government, is open to consultation on the review of the Amerindian Act.

“The land titling and demarcation process is guided principally by the Amerindian Act and the State Lands Act. Overall, the Amerindian Act which was formulated out of consultation makes provisions for matters of land management, allocation, leasing, titling, demarcation and extension. It further allows Village Councils to hold-for the benefit and use of the village-all rights, tittles and interest in or over village lands and to manage and regulate the use of, and occupation of village lands,” the Attorney General detailed in his presentation.

Additionally, the Act provides for the recognition and protection of the collective rights of Amerindian Villages and Communities, the granting of land to Amerindian Villages and Communities and the promotion of good governance within Amerindian Villages and Communities.

While some of the Toshaos urged swift amendments to the Amerindian Act, others underscored the importance of not rushing the process. Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Nicholas Fredericks, said the NTC, in collaboration with the Amerindian Peoples Association and the South Rupununi District Council, has conducted widespread consultation and has submitted its recommendations to the Ministry of Legal Affairs.
He said the NTC and its partners will work with the Ministry to amend the Amerindian Act. “We would like to bring the Act up to international standards,” Fredericks posited.