– Jagdeo assures Toshaos
President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday dispelled rumours that the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MAA) will be closed and has re-established government’s commitment to work with the leaders of Indigenous communities in developing the hinterland.
In his feature address at the opening ceremony of the National Toshaos Council meeting being held at the International Convention Centre at Liliendaal, President Jagdeo said that some opposition parties are advocating that the ministry be closed. He said the administration sees the ministry as being useful noting that the government has expended significant amounts of money on the development of hinterland communities and will continue to do so in future.
Jagdeo admitted that there are existing problems in Amerindian communities such as teacher shortages and the movement of medical supplies to some indigenous communities. He said the ministry was set up as an agency to address the needs of Amerindians countrywide and was committed to developing those areas.
He said that at the last Toshao meeting, it was agreed that more emphasis needed to be placed on life at the level of the village council. He said this aspect of development did not bear much fruit since most areas are agriculture-based in terms of production. In this regard, the President noted that such goods are perishable and he posited that a new strategy which could be looked at is to identify a sustainable activity in each village, which on a large scale, could add to the development of that community while simultaneously providing an income for each household. He said approximately $75 million has been budgeted to address this.
As regards representation, Jagdeo noted that there are three persons of Amerindian descent within the 20-member Cabinet, making special mention of Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, whom he noted is the first female Guyanese to take up this portfolio. He said citizens’ confidence in the administration has grown since his government assumed office.
As regards land titles, the President noted that the state is obligated to process land claims. He said the administration has a good track record in this area and has championed the cause to ensure everyone has a land title. He said initially the process was difficult, listing demarcation which cost approximately $40-50 million to undertake, but stated that systems have been put in place to make the process easier.
As regards this year’s conference, the head of state said that he hopes to sit with the leaders of the various indigenous communities and discuss plans on how to take the country forward. He said over the past five years there have been three such council meetings, stating that the forum is unique. He said he could not recall whether there had been such meetings in other countries where indigenous leaders from various communities assembled to discuss matters of national interest. This he noted indicates that a strong democracy exists at the local and national level.
Rance Alicock, Toshao of the village of Rockstone, Essequibo River, told Stabroek News after yesterday morning’s session that he was happy to be at this year’s meeting since he would have the opportunity to bring to the fore issues which have been affecting the development of his community. Among them, he noted, is the unavailability of jobs. He said many students go into the ‘backdam’ after leaving school since there are not many opportunities available for them to pursue.
Land titles were presented by the president to the leaders of several communities at the conclusion of yesterday morning’s opening ceremony including the Amerindian village councils of Malali, Great Falls 58, Muritaro, Waikebi, Nappi and St Ignatius.
The meeting will see various matters being discussed including open discussions with various sector ministries such as local government, home affairs, and health. The President is expected to make a presentation on the proposed Low Carbon Develop-ment Strategy on Thursday before the forum concludes on Friday.
