Kwebanna, Region One Toshao Godfrey Wilson has accused the Amerindian Affairs Ministry of disrespecting him and his council by bypassing them and handing over solar panels and a tractor to People’s Progressive Party/Civic supporters in the village.
Wilson told Stabroek News yesterday that a tractor was handed over by the ministry to the Deputy Toshao instead of the council and the Toshao. He said he believed it was a deliberate move by the ministry to disrespect the council and supporters of other political groups.
Stabroek News made several efforts to contact Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Nigel Dharamlall but all proved to be futile.
“They did this because we are not supporting them. So by doing this they are creating division among our people. They are treating supporters of other political parties with disrespect,” Wilson stated.
He noted that the tractor was supposed to be given to the community for farming and logging in the village but instead it was given to the PPP party group in the village and the Deputy Toshao. “The solar panels, on the other hand, were distributed mainly to their supporters,” he added.
Wilson expressed disappointment with the Ministry’s action and called for it to act impartiality. “We are upset because they bypass and disrespected us,” he said.
Last Thursday, the Toshao of the Swan community on the Soesdyke Linden Highway, had protested in front of the Ministry’s office, stating that he was wrongfully fired from his position as the Toshao. Augustine James, the Toshao, was replaced by his secretary. He alleged political interference in his dismissal, since he had hoisted a flag of another political party on a house.
