AS the government continues to demonstrate its commitment to the development of indigenous communities and improving the lives of Amerindians countrywide, Finance Minister. Dr. Ashni Singh on Friday handed over 1,215 electronic tablets to Toshaos at the close of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference.

According to a press release, the tablets are to be used to access the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) programmes, and are to be distributed in the villages by Toshaos upon their return there.

During the handover done on behalf of President Dr. Irfaan Ali, the Finance Minister encouraged the Toshaos to ensure that the tablets are used to access the GOAL programmes so that more persons from the hinterland can benefit from the training provided and therefore, participate meaningfully in the transformation of the country that is currently underway.

Minister Singh said this is part of the government’s broader agenda for improving the lives of the country’s hinterland population, including investments in expanding hinterland transport infrastructure such as roads and bridges; investments being made in hinterland electrification, including the purchase of 30,000 stand-alone household solar units; hinterland water wells and water-supply systems; educational facilities, such as new schools and dormitories, and public healthcare facilities, including for the deployment of telemedicine.

The government also pledged its continued support to indigenous communities and also handed over 100 cheques to 100 villages to offset upgrades to community grounds.
President Ali also announced that in Budget 2024, billions of dollars will be allocated for further development of indigenous communities following full consultation with the Chairman of the NTC.

The conference, which commenced on Monday last and which saw over 200 Toshaos from Indigenous villages across the country gathered at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre to discuss development programmes for their villages with government, concluded on Friday while Amerindian Heritage Month kicked off with a cultural extravaganza at the National Park on Friday evening.