AS the National Toshao’s Council (NTC) Conference opened on Monday, seven leaders from Indigenous communities across the country received absolute grants and certificates of title on their village’s behalf.
The grants and titles were handed over by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali during the opening ceremony of the NTC Conference which is being held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre this week.

The villages of Hotoquai, Hobodia and Red Hill of Region One received the absolute grants while Akawini in Region Four received its absolute grant, Arau in Region Seven received its certificate of title and Moco Moco, Region nine received its absolute grant.
The absolute grant for Hotoquai’s extension spans some 3,764 acres while it is 8,887 acres for Hobodia, 18,912 acres for Red Hill, 5,088 acres for Akawini, 28,875 acres for Arau, and 1,472 acres for Moco Moco.
Additionally, Karasabai also received its certificate of title from President, Dr. Irfaan Ali who indicated that this was completed earlier in the morning and signed off on.

“I am pleased to tell you that your plan was registered this morning, your minister issued the letter this morning and I have your title in my hands,” President Ali told the representatives of Karasabai.
The completion and handing over of these titles is in keeping with the government’s commitment to ensuring Amerindian villages secure their lands and natural resources for sustained economic and social development.
The government since entering office has been on an aggressive drive to distribute all land titles and demarcations, as the Amerindian Affairs Ministry was previously challenged with a backlog.

In the last quarter of 2022, Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai had told members of the media that the government is working to have all land titles and demarcations completed by the end of 2024.