Faced with criticisms from his predecessor that the new government is not doing enough for Amerindians, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock on Thursday said there is less political interference while efforts are being made to upgrade schools and critical infrastructure.
“We have removed the tentacles of central government from the affairs of indigenous peoples’ villages and communities,” Allicock said to overwhelming support from colleagues in the National Assembly, when the budget debate continued.
PPP/C MP Pauline Sukhai had accused government of not catering for the needs of Amerindians in this year’s proposed $230B budget, saying that after careful examination of the estimates for the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry she believed much wasn’t offered. “This is unfair,” she said.
Sukhai, throughout her presentation, called out the minister on the issue of land titling, saying that since APNU+AFC took office it has not handed out a single title. This was met with shouts of “boo” and “shame” from the opposition MPs.
“They have not produced any demarcations for Amerindian lands. This is eight months into their term,” she pointed out, while noting that it should have been given priority attention since it was listed in the government’s campaign manifesto. She called on the minister to look at projects that will bring greater benefits to Amerindians and desist from “sitting long hours and months dealing with systems.”
Allicock, however, reminded Sukhai that he had inherited the issue of the land titling for the people in Tasserene and that he was working to find a solution. “The issue of mining blocks being awarded in land traditionally occupied, utilised and applied for village lands by Guyana’s indigenous peoples– as in the case of Tasserene—are unresolved issues which were inherited,” he noted.
Allicock reminded Sukhai that it was when she was head of the ministry that most, if not all of the blocks, were awarded. “These awards were made after Kangaruma and Tasserene, for example, had applied for these lands to become their village lands. Mr Speaker, these honourable members of the opposition were part of the team which participated in the handing over of worthless pieces of paper to Kangaruma and Tasserene, suggesting to the leaders of these communities that they were being handed land titles,” he related.
Allicock declared that the Amerindian Land Titling Project is back on track. “The shortcomings of the period which preceded May 11th 2015 are being addressed. The Ministry is addressing the indigenous peoples’ land issues…. work has started on the establishment of the Hinterland and Indigenous Peoples’ Land Commis-sion,” he further said.
Turning his attention to criticisms that the budget does not offer anything for Guyana’s first people, Allicock in detail went through plans for this year.
“It is about fixing wharves, hinterland airstrips, ocean going vessels which serve our hinterland residents, improving education delivery and health care services, boosting agriculture and creating a healthier economy. Budget 2016 will create jobs, provide training for our young people and give our senior citizens additional disposable income,” he stressed.
“There is the acquisition of boats, outboard engines and minibuses to get children to and from school… Port Kaituma, Santa Rosa, Baramita, Matthews Ridge, Powaikuru, and Barabina will benefit from improvement and the addition of living quarters, while a new secondary school will be constructed at Waramuri.Akawini will get a new nursery school. Karawab and Bethany primary schools will be improved, Yarashirima will be extended and Warapoka Secondary will also be extended. Mashabo and Bethany primary will be provided with living quarters for staff. This is all a part of a package amounting for $196.3M,” he noted.
Allicock further said that Paramakatoi Secon-dary and Micobie Nursery will benefit from significant improvement as part of works, valued $36,614,000. Schools will be constructed at Tabatinga and Pai Pang, he added, while also noting that living quarters will be built at Sand Creek and major improvements are planned for the Surama, Aishalton and Wowetta nurseries and the Quatata Primary for $94.6M. He said too that the electricity system at St. Ignatius Secondary will be upgraded, while Kairuni Nursery, St. Cuthbert’s Primary and the Arau and Phillipai primary schools will benefit from solar systems.
