THE new building which is expected to house the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Secretariat at the National Exhibition Centre, Sophia, Georgetown, will soon be commissioned.

This was disclosed by the NTC following an inspection by several executive members on Tuesday.

The NTC, in a brief statement issued on its Facebook page, thanked the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs for the support given to the council.

“The NTC as the representative body of all Indigenous leaders in Guyana, remains committed to continue working closely with Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and all our partners to promote the rights and interests of Indigenous communities,” the statement read.

The soon-to-be commissioned building consists of an administrative section, and a dome, which will be used to host meetings and other events.

Additionally, the administrative building has four self-contained rooms that will provide accommodation for toshaos attending meetings in the city.

Electricity to the building will be provided by Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and will also be solar powered.

In 2022, the government had allocated some $100 million in the National Budget to relocate the secretariat from its Hadfield and Cross Streets, Georgetown location.

Government had set aside $20 million for the furnishing of the new secretariat.

In a previous interview with this publication, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, had noted that Guyana is the only country with a government that supports and promotes a full month of activities that seek to celebrate and recognise the contribution of Indigenous tradition, knowledge and culture.

“Our government is the only government so far in the international community that is setting the pace and being the front runner in terms of addressing and including the Indigenous population in the mainstream of national life and national activities.”

She had also explained that while the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs is the oversight institution for Indigenous Peoples, it was the elected leaders of the NTC that oversee the administrative functions of the Indigenous communities under the country’s laws.

“The NTC should feel very proud that our government has stepped up to ensure that as a council of leaders, as respected leaders, they should also have their own quarters,” Minster Sukhai said, adding: “The legitimately elected leaders for Amerindians, they have administrative functions under the law and also other functions under the law that they need to perform.”

The provision of this secretariat is a key part of the government’s support. The government’s role, she said is to provide the prerequisites that will ensure the full functioning of the council.

At the opening ceremony of Heritage Month celebrations last year, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, had vowed to work with young Indigenous Peoples to ensure that they are a part of the new phase of development in the country in fields such as health care, engineering and heavy equipment operation.