THERE is an opinion, traditional and current among the perennial critics of the PPP/C administration, that the Amerindians are a neglected people who only receive attention as it approaches an election date, and that they are bribed for the purpose of securing their votes. Beginning with this given, that politics, apart from being adversarial, is very much competitive, since the primary aim of all parties competing for  votes is to present  their respective programmes based on what they judge to be the needs of the people.

The challenge, therefore, for whichever party is elected to govern, is to deliver on the programmes promised during their hustings. It is upon this salient fact that every government must be examined. 

It is easy for the   naysayers to spew such distortions, since they calculated that Amerindian communities are far away from the mainstream populace, thereby rendering observation impossible.

But they are highly mistaken, for this is the age of greatly improved communications in Guyana, whereby economic and social development programmes in every corner of   this land of six peoples are being highlighted, via either the print or electronic medium. The media are everywhere, so pervasive is its coverage.  

Any fair-minded Guyanese, regardless of political affiliation, would conclude that the Amerindians and their communities are very much a part of the great transformation now being experienced throughout this country.

With a budget since 1993 that has increased exponentially, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has overseen and continues to execute dozens  of projects each year,  costing  hundreds of millions of dollars for the qualitative improvement of lives throughout the Amerindian communities.

The primary aim is to integrate Guyana’s first people into mainstream national life.    
A sample of the initiatives taken in respect of Amerindian improvement, particularly in this current millennium, will underline this  fact.

Beginning with the Hinterland Scholarship Programme, a programme that has attracted a cost in excess of $250M up to 2010, this scheme affords students a variety of skills , inclusive of banking and finance; food technology and agriculture, which they will take back in their assistance to their respective communities.

This is coupled with the Uniform Programme, which was an initiative by President Jagdeo in 2000. This assistance, already in operation at the national level, provides school uniform material for secondary, primary and nursery levels and caters for as many as 7100 Amerindian children. This strategy has brought immense relief to many households, that had been unable to send their children to school because of not having school clothes.  
Two multi-million-dollar dormitories, one costing $8.5M at Paramakatoi, and the other at $95.4M at Liliendaal for Hinterland Scholarship students, followed by the newly-built $60M primary and nursery schools at Quebenang and Jawalla respectively, are just some of the significant improvements in education  facilities designed for Amerindian educational advancement.
Other vital programmes that have been executed over the past two years include the $27M Low Income Settlement Programme for providing low-income homes to approximately 12,000 people; a $61M GWI plan for potable water at several interior locations; the health sector’s introduction of sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS education to some hinterland areas; and the critical conflict resolution training course to be undertaken by the rural Women’s Network through the ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

Also, the health sector has been encouraging hinterland residents to enrol in the Registered Nurse and Nursing Assistant Programmes.

Pivotal to the transformation of the hinterland communities is the National Secure Livelihood Programme currently being done as a pilot project in Region One in 15 communities.

This economic plan, strategised for the sustainability of Amerindian communities, will facilitate the expansion of locally grown produce, as well as the processing of value-added products with the aim of availing such products to the international markets, generating employment opportunities, food security, and incomes.   

Even sport is being encouraged and developed in Amerindian areas, inclusive of dominoes, softball and football. 

Then there is the Takutu Bridge, a landmark development that will offer tremendous trading and commercial opportunities for the proximal hinterland communities.

Certainly, the above, which is a microcosm of the transformational programmes, support genuine, deliberate and sustainable steps to improve the social and economic wellbeing of hinterland communities.

It is because of these and other measures, too numerous to mention, that there are now  Amerindian cabinet ministers, policemen and military personnel, medical doctors, university students  and lecturers, and public servants.