She also correctly observed that some businesses in the entertainment sector lure young under-age Amerindian girls and the conditions of work turn out to be different to those that are agreed and promised when recruited.

This problem has been around for quite some time now and fundamentally has its origins in the unacceptable view of many sections of our society that our indigenous people are inferior in intelligence and as such they look upon them “second class citizens.” On the contrary given the opportunities and exposure to a proper education our indigenous people have proven beyond the shadow of a doubt they are just as capable, as any other sections of the population, of excelling in academics, politics, medicine, arts ort sports among other fields.

And that is why the present government has been working feverishly to intensifying training and improving educational and economic opportunities within the indigenous communities so that they can be empowered to lift themselves out of poverty and do not fall prey to those heartless entrepreneurs who seek to exploit and take advantage of them.

On this score, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has wisely recognised the need for an awareness programme in the high risk areas which will incorporate a range of social issues and will advise, alert and support the communities with respect to exploitation of their residents.

However, it must be emphasised that in order to eradicate or minimise this problem campaigns and awareness programmes have to be sustained as going about them in an ad hoc and inconsistent manner will not suffice.

The government for its part has been investing heavily on building more schools, health centres, improving training for medical and teaching personnel as well as providing assistance to help kick start cottage industries and other similar economic and commercial ventures.

In addition, the problem cannot be left alone to the Ministry to deal with. The entire society has to play a role in combating this injustice facing our indigenous citizens.

In this regard, Mrs. Sukahai has acknowledged in the quest of supporting the village economies, President Bharrat Jagdeo, true to his commitment, approved $79M as an investment for the start-up of the National Secure Livelihood Programme.

She said the government has also provided specialised technical support and aims to provide the opportunity for the development of young people with on-the-job training to bolster sustainability when the experts’ contracts end.

Now that the long awaited Takutu Bridge has become a reality, economic and commercial ventures in Lethem and the surrounding communities will spring up there by boosting employment opportunities and provide an avenue for residents to improve their standard of living.

One of the objectives of a democratic society is to create equity so that all people regardless of race gender, class etc. would be a fair opportunity to better their lives and in so doing their society and country.

This has always been the goal of the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan and the party which he and his comrades found and throughout his life he tirelessly worked to achieve this goal. His lieutenants have followed in his footsteps and are diligently working towards the achievement of that goal.