HINTERLAND development is an integral part of our national development. The PPP/C administration has placed hinterland development, more specifically Amerindian development, on the front burner and a number of policy measures have been implemented to improve the quality of life of hinterland people, who historically had been neglected by the colonial administration and by the previous PNC regime.
Among the several initiatives taken by the current administration are the hinterland electrification programme, the hinterland training programmes, including hinterland scholarship, Amerindian land-titling, enhanced education and health services, better supply of potable water and agricultural development, among others.
To say that our hinterland regions are among the most beautiful places in Guyana is an understatement. Unfortunately, there are not many coastlanders who have had the opportunity to visit the natural beauty of our interior locations, including the majestic Kaieteur Falls, which is reputed to be the world’s highest single-drop waterfall by the volume of water flowing over it. It is one of the world’s most beautiful and powerful waterfall, with an average flow of 23,400 cubic feet per second.
Only recently, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs completed a training programme for village leaders from several hinterland communities to empower them to become better and more effective leaders. According to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, the government is preparing the ground for human resource development in the hinterland in order to enable village leaders to align their communities with developments taking place countrywide.
And in an attempt to boost agricultural production in hinterland regions, the Ministry of Agriculture through the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute {NAREI} recently commissioned a new office in Paramakatoi, Region Eight. The office will be used to conduct training for farmers and other persons in the community who are involved in agriculture and agriculture related activities. In Region Nine, a proposed hydropower plant at the Kumu River is expected to provide clean and reliable power to residents of Lethem and surrounding communities. The plant will supplement the 0.7 MW Moco Moco hydropower plant. The new plant, when operational, is expected to significantly reduce the cost of energy and is consistent with the PPP/C administration’s comprehensive energy sector reform plan and with its Low Carbon Development Strategy.
It will be recalled that the PPP/C in its 2020 Elections Manifesto had committed itself to protecting and enhancing the rights of Amerindians and create opportunities for their overall advancement. In that regard, much emphasis is being placed on infrastructure development in the villages, creating new job opportunities, improving social services and in improving the quality of life of the Amerindian people. A number of policy measures have been put in place to give effect to the promises made including the resumption of Amerindian Land Titling Programme, updating of the Amerindian Act in consultation with Amerindian communities, putting more resources in the community development plans, increased presidential grants, rehiring of the 2,000 Community Service Officers (CSOs) whose services were unceremoniously terminated by the previous APNU+AFC Coalition Government and improved health and education services, among others.
President Ali has repeatedly assured Amerindian leaders and the Amerindian community as a whole that his administration will involve Amerindians integrally in the development process. According to President Ali, “my government is committed to strengthening your inclusion in national decision-making’. He emphasised that the PPP/C administration will foster Amerindian economic empowerment across all of the country’s administrative regions.
Amerindian development is now an integral part of national development, thanks to the several policy measures taken by the PPP/C administration.
