President Donald Ramotar yesterday urged that Amerindian leaders ensure scrupulous accountability in the community projects they will be embarking on under the Amerindian Development Fund, which are expected to make village economies resilient with a $5 million grant each from the Norway funds, according to the Government Information Agency (GINA).
He was speaking at the launch of the Inception Phase of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) at Princess Hotel. According to GINA in a press release, this phase will see a focus on the development of village economies through projects funded under the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) under the Guyana Redd + Investment Fund (GRIF).
President Ramotar committed government’s strong support for Amerindian leaders to ensure that the projects are sustainable, GINA reported.
“We will be a genuine partner in your development…we are determined to work hard to deliver on our promises, because we don’t make promises lightly,” the President said.
“I therefore urge the Toshaos and villagers to grasp the opportunities made possible by these investments and create value. Increase the opportunity for greater exchange of goods and services within the villages and further afield and enhance all village resources and assets. I wish to urge, and I repeat for emphasis, I wish to urge strict accountability. This is important for us as a country, as a people. It is important for you Toshaos, because when you have strict accountability and openness it increases participation of the community in your activities and it engenders confidence in the projects themselves as such. And believe me, without these things it is difficult to achieve. So I urge you to be very, very accountable,” GINA quoted the president as saying.
The president observed that funding the Community Development Projects (CDPs) is a major step by government to improve the conditions of the indigenous peoples, and bring benefits to their communities. “Former President Bharrat Jagdeo did a lot to make this a reality, and I am committed to continuing this development,” President Ramotar stated.
He urged village leaders to the make the village economy resilient, adding that the low carbon economy is no longer a dream, and no longer something at a distance. “We are making it a reality day by day and I am sure it will prove to be a good spring-board for the sustainability of the village economy,” GINA quotes the president as saying.
The release said that the president pointed out that the projects are important in bringing Guyana’s first peoples on par with those living on the coastland, “Thus I am happy to announce that Amerindian villages and communities will receive $5 million each for the implementation of socio-economic projects of their own choice. We have budgeted for this for these communities under the Amerindian Development Fund.”
He said that cooperation and networking between communities would create viable markets. GINA reported that shortcomings and positive experiences coming out of these villages would be identified, corrected and implemented when the other projects get underway.
Emphasising the significance of 65 percent of the projects being agricultural, President Ramotar said, “We want to ensure food security for everyone in the country and food security for the Amerindian communities.”
He added that farmers will have to be more educated and learn new techniques, while explaining that many new techniques are developing to increase production while not necessarily increasing the amount of land that is used for the production itself.
He further said that this will also increase jobs in supporting sectors, which will add to jobs already created through the Presidential Grants, the National Hinterland Secure Livelihood Programme and other capital investments that Government has worked to implement.
The release said that president was hopeful that the Land Titling Project would soon begin and said that government has already granted titles to 89 percent of all eligible Amerindian communities and, “the remaining titles, demarcation and extension will be processed under the Amerindian titling demarcation project which will be funded by the GRIF”.
According to GINA, President Ramotar reminded Amerindian leaders of incidents surrounding land demarcation and mining rights within Amerindian communities at Isseneru and Kako “which were blown out of proportion both locally and within the international community.”
He urged that efforts would be better spent with Amerindian communities working together with government for the development of better communities. “I assure you that we will not yield to the demands of organisations that just attack for the sake of attacking. We are not opposed to constructive criticism; we are ready to listen, to sit down and talk and to deal with real issues. But, we will not be blackmailed and we will not be pushed to do anything to buffer anyone’s political agenda,” GINA quoted Ramotar as saying.
Ramotar gave recognition to collaborative the efforts of the Project Management Office under the Office of the President, the UNDP, the Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. He also recognised Norway, “for this unprecedented partnership and confidence in Guyana.”
The United Nations Development Programme is spearheading the GRIF Phase 1 of the LCDS with the support of the Government of Guyana. The project will be done in two phases, an initiation/pilot phase spanning nine months, to be followed by a second phase with 180 commercially viable projects receiving grants of US$25,000 each. In this pilot phase, 27 grants will be allocated, GINA said.
The projects will focus on activities in agriculture, eco-tourism, forestry, mining, and village infrastructure and service provision in local village economies.
The pilot projects identified include six non-farming, six farming, four poultry and three aqua farming projects. GINA said that Region One will see poultry rearing in Barabina, Kariako and Yarakita; a village shop in Baramita; cash crop farming in Hobodeia and Manawarin and fish ponds in Kamwatta and Three Brothers. Region Two will see plans for cash crop farming in Bethany and a Guest House at Santa Mission while a tourist lodge is planned for St. Cuthbert’s in Region Four. At Moraikobai in Region Five there are plans for a multi-purpose centre while rice-cultivation is slated for Orealla in Region Six and a peanut farm for Karrau in Region Seven.
GINA said that Region Eight will also see cash crop farming at Itabac while cattle rearing will take place at Kamana and Kurukubaru. This region will also focus on poultry rearing at Micobie and a tourism project is to be established at Monkey Mountain.
The release said that seven projects are slated for Region Nine and include a fish pond project at Annai and cattle rearing at Bashaizon. Cash crop farming will be done at Masara and Parikwarunau, and Rupunau. Rupertee will focus on planting cassava while at Hururu a guest house will be set up.
The Amerindian Affairs Ministry and the UNDP in August 2012 signed an agreement to pump US$6 million ($1.2 billion) of the US$70M Norway funds into the ADF.
