Dear Editor,
Orealla, a village on the eastern boundary of Guyana with Suriname is accessible only by boat. This potential tourist attraction comprising the two distinct places of Orealla and Siparuta has experienced considerable failures and mismanagement of its valuable resources.
The present council includes family members and relations which goes contrary to the decision-making process and the general interest of the village as a whole. The past five years has evidence to show that Orealla/Siparuta was blessed with the following: the earning of levies from the shipment of tons of sand; the services of a new launch, the Epira, to transport produce and people on a weekly basis; the commencement of the electrification process; the implementation of assistance to residents in poultry farming and the rearing of stock such as goats and pigs; and the construction of a better access road from Orealla to Siparuta. Aspects of definite progress, or so it seems. However, all the projects were on line before this council took office. A little more in-depth examination would reveal a totally different scenario.
Firstly, sand levies: Barges used by persons removing sand from the reservation are not correctly measured in terms of tonnage.
The launch: Since the commencement of its operations in 2006 the revenues earned amount are substantial. As the earnings of the boat fluctuate, so do the amounts in the expenditure columns. Here again financial reports do not appear to be a correct reflection of the business of the boat.
The boat was damaged and under repairs for some time, and after its first trip following repairs, no funds were handed over to the council. The Captain’s hands are tied; nothing has come out of this matter.
The Epira must wait a while longer to recommence operations under a new captain; the boat is currently in custody in Apoera.
The electrification of Orealla is a welcome development, and the Captain made a bold announcement that the council stood to gain financially at the close of the project. Once again a declaration in relation to the financial aspect of the project is unavailable and not forthcoming. The project is incomplete; more overhead cables are needed.
An examination of the financial statements of the established committees show no balances. There are many questions to be answered.
Many other burning issues are to be looked into by the Amerindian Ministry whose planned visit has been postponed, which has apparently allowed the present council to have an air of immunity about them, since no one has the authority to demand their responsibility in all the affairs of the council.
The regional authorities, the Amerindian Ministry and the President are asked to deem these matters as urgent and a priority for the people of the Orealla. The present state of affairs is robbing the youths and the future generation of the village of the true benefits of the resources the village possesses.
Yours faithfully,
George N. Peneux
Editor’s note
We sent a copy of this letter to Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Ms Pauline Campbell-Sukhai, for any comments she may have wished to make and received the following response from Liaison Officer to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Mr Norman Whittaker:
“The Office of the Minister of Amerindian Affairs acknowledges your letter dated July 28, 2008 and the attached copy of a letter penned by Mr George Peneux relative to what he describes as ‘burning issues’ facing the residents of the Amerindian titled village of Orealla/Siparuta, Corentyne River, Region 6; the letter for the Minister’s comments.
A number of residents of the Orealla and Siparuta communities which make up the Amerindian titled village Orealla/Siparuta did recently visit the Office of the Minister of Amerindian Affairs and expressed concerns over what they perceived as mismanagement of community assets.
“The Honourable Minister did undertake to visit the communities along with senior Ministry officials to meet separately with the residents of the Siparuta and Orealla communities and also with the duly elected Orealla/Siparuta Village Council to discuss development issues including tourism and small enterprise development, and the problems associated with such development, viz record-keeping and accountability for assets and funds realised, just to name a few. In fact, the Honourable Minister would be visiting the village during the month of August 2008 for the purpose already mentioned.
“For many village councils and hinterland residents, the assumption of office of a new Minister provides an opportunity to reopen issues and ventilate concerns, etc, and the expectation is that each resident and each council will have their matter/s dealt with first by the Minister. Perhaps Orealla/Siparuta is no different and this is understandable.
“At the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, we encourage residents to be actively involved in community development.
“We thank you for providing us an opportunity to comment on Mr Peneux’s expressed concerns and look forward to meeting the writer when we visit the village.”