Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and a team from the ministry recently hosted discussions on governance and selecting Community Development Plans (CDPs) with village officials in Region Two.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the team included Project Co-ordinator Sharon Austin and Region Two Community Development Officer Melrose Henry. Discussions were held with Toshao and Village Council of St Deny’s/Tapakuma Doreen Jacobis about good governance and the Low Carbon Development Strategy.

Sukhai told the meeting that the ministry will be strengthening efforts to ensure that good governance is maintained in Amerindian communities. She explained that focus will be placed on village administration and management, accountability and transparency to ensure that funds given and earned by the community are not misappropriated.

Sukhai said too decisions should not be dictated to the masses rather, community leaders should engage villagers in discussions and make decisions through a democratic process. Such practice is advocated when selecting projects to submit for Presidential grants and CDPs.

According to GINA, the village council only supports the upward mobility of communities. Village councillors are expected to listen to residents’ concerns and recommendations and they are mandated to conduct village meetings to gather input from villagers.

The meeting discussed the submission and benefits of CDPs and it was revealed that St Deny’s had to submit its final copy of the plan to the ministry. Jacobis noted that the community had outlined some projects in its first draft to the ministry, but it plans to include other projects that focus on the environment.

Sukhai noted that the ministry is working on CDPs for villages. She said projects that have been earmarked must generate income and have a bearing on other sectors that will foster the ventures. The village was informed that it can earmark schools, roads and other pertinent facilities for growth and development.