Venezuelan migrants and the revision of the Amerindian Act were among the major issues raised when several government ministers engaged toshaos and participants of the 13th National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference on Thursday.
Presentations were made by the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Legal Affairs, Public Infrastructure, Education, Public Telecommunications and Citizenship about the various functions of their respective ministries after which they addressed the concerns raised by village leaders. The NTC conference, which was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre at Liliendaal, concluded yesterday.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Karen Cummings, during her presentation, explained the functions of the departments within her ministry, the projects the ministry has embarked on and the projects that have been completed. She also explained the nature of the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy because she thinks it is vital that all Guyanese have an understanding of the issue.
“We have to be vigilant with respect to the protection of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country,” she said. Furthermore, Cummings encouraged participants to contact her ministry without hesitation if they think that the ministry can address the issue.
One of the main issues raised by district representatives or toshaos related to the presence of Venezuelan migrants in the villages and the impacts they are having on indigenous communities. Paul Pierre, the Community Development Officer of Baramita in Region One, said that a number of Venezuelans are illegally entering villages coming via routes in the North West District. He said that he is hopeful that the minister will consider building an immigration office at Baramita.
Toshao Mario Hastings of Kako, Region Seven, said that security should be put in place to monitor the number of migrants that enter the country. He highlighted that a number of villages from his region are still being threatened by Venezuelan criminal gangs, the syndicatos. Sherry Ann Balkaran, the Secretary of the North Pakaraimas District Council, which represents more than eight villages in Region Eight, complained about the impacts that Venezuelans are having on indigenous communities citing issues such as prostitution.
Meanwhile, the representatives of regions Three, Four, Five and Six wanted to know what steps they can take to assist the migrants. In response, Cummings said that there are about 10,000 Venezuelans in the country and the government is making sure they have access to health and education services. However, she said, once the issues in Venezuela are resolved, the government is hoping that the migrants will return to that country to play a part in rebuilding that nation. Until then, she said, the government will ensure that the Venezuelans have access to basic services.
Another issue raised by leaders related to the prevalence of wrong information on birth certificates. Nearly all the representatives from the ten regions who spoke said that when residents apply or reapply for their birth certificates, it usually comes back with wrong information including names being misspelt and incorrect dates of birth. In this regard, Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix urged them to return the birth certificates as soon as they receive the document and to ensure that when registering, they check the information that the official is filing. Felix was asked by a village leader about what happens if a same-sex couple wants to acquire a birth certificate for a child they adopted. The minister did not answer the questions, responding only that marriage is between a man and a woman.
Meanwhile, in his presentation, Attorney General Basil Williams briefed the leaders on the revision of the 2006 Amerindian Act along with the land titling and extension processes. He revealed that the Katoonarib and Sawariwau land issue has been resolved and those two villages will be awarded separate land titles. Williams promised the leaders that he will try to resolve all outstanding issues including the one that has been in the courts for 18 years.
As it relates to the revision of the Amerindian Act, NTC Chairman Nicholas Fredericks revealed that the South Rupununi District Council has been working alongside the Upper Mazaruni District Council and they have compiled a list of suggestions for the new Amerindian Act, which were submitted to the Ministry of Legal Affairs. He said the recommendations complements the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Toshao of Rockstone, Flagan Carter, who represented several villages in Region Ten, said that he and those leaders have not been consulted in relation to the revision of the Amerindian Act. He said that the leaders of Region Ten need to be consulted in this process.
In response to a question regarding when to expect a draft bill regarding the Amerindian Act and if the revision of the said legislation will be at a standstill due to the fact that Parliament is not functional, Williams said that the bill will be circulated to all stakeholders before it is taken to the National Assembly. He pointed out that the parliamentary recess ended on Thursday. “Parliament has not been dissolved. Parliament will be out of recess [on Thursday] and it will be there until it is dissolved by the president,” he said.
As it relates to land titling and extension requests, Williams said that he cannot address those concerns unless he is provided with “the facts.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes gifted all the toshaos with tablets and handbags. During her presentation, she said that the ministry has connected 120 schools with free internet access. She said that the ministry made schools a priority because they believe that it is important for the students. According to Hughes, if given the chance, the ministry plans to build ICT hubs in every single community in the hinterland region. Further, she said, once the villages are connected to the internet, they will be able to have access to various applications forms from various agencies including the Guyana Revenue Authority.
Yesterday, the Minister of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport, George Norton and Minister of State Dawn Hastings were expected to give presentations while a report on the status of the revision of the Amerindian Act revision was also expected to be done.
