PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and a team of government officials recently visited a number of communities in Region Nine. The visit from all indications was highly productive as several on-the-spot interventions were made aimed at further enriching the quality of life of the Amerindian people.

The interactions between President Ali and the hinterland residents were significant in more than one ways. Firstly, and perhaps more importantly, it provided the President with an opportunity to have a first-hand assessment of the challenges and opportunities that the region face while at the same time coming up with real-time solutions to extant situations.

Of no less significance is the opportunity provided by the several visits to hinterland communities for direct interface between President Ali and the broader citizenry.

Those who have been following the President’s visits to the hinterland communities in the media, in particular the social media cannot overlook the warm and fraternal embrace which residents accorded the President and his team of officials. It is not often that residents from far-flung communities get the opportunity to interface with a Head of State and this opportunity was certainly one worthy of celebration. The President, out of characteristic humility and his people-oriented personality, seized the moment not only to conduct government business but also to socialise with members of the community by way of playing games, preparation of meals and other social engagements.

The fact is that development is all about people. It is about raising the social, cultural and material conditions of life including food security. This is why much emphasis was placed during the visit to expand food production. Several initiatives were taken to boost agricultural production in the region. Among these are poultry, hatching eggs, cattle-breeding, Black Belly Sheep and honey production which taken together with other traditional farming activities could transform the dynamics of agriculture in the region along the lines of greater sustainability and food security.

The intention, according to President, is to greatly reduce the cost of food production in the region through crop diversification and capacity building. Several pieces of agricultural equipment were distributed to village leaders including agricultural and transportation machinery. The salient point to note is that such capacity building measures were done collaboratively with the President and community leaders and not as was the case under the previous PNC administration, an imposition by the Central Government.

Amerindians today have become both the drivers and the beneficiaries of their own development. Through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the National Toshaos Council, policy making affecting the lives and livelihoods of Amerindians are done on a consultative and collaborative basis. Amerindians are no longer placed on the periphery but are now an integral part of the governance processes.

The fact is that the PPP/C is today the largest multi-ethnic political organisation in Guyana with significant Amerindian and hinterland support. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to state that it is the party with the largest Amerindian support. This development came about as a result of the hard work and genuine concern for the well-being of Amerindians. The days when the PPP/C was projected as an ‘enemy’ of the Amerindian people has long gone and today there is a growing level of camaraderie and trust in the PPP/C as the only political organisation that truly represents the interests of the Amerindian people.

This close relationship between the Amerindian people and the PPP/C administration has been eloquently captured during a meeting with President Ali and residents of the Deep South Rupununi when he said “This is how your government work, we come to you, we listen to you and we make decisions in your interest.”