Prime Minister Mark Phillips yesterday expressed “profound disappointment” at a charge by Deputy Speaker of the House, Lenox Shuman that the government has not consulted with the Indigenous Peoples on key issues
In a statement, Phillips referred to a letter in Monday’s edition of Stabroek News authored by Shuman and entitled ` I call on the gov’t to rescind the South Rupununi mining agreement and return to the table’.
“I must share my profound disappointment at the position taken by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, the Honourable Mr Lenox Shuman, in a letter published under his name in Monday’s edition of the Stabroek News.
“In this letter, Mr Shuman departs from facts to unfairly and erroneously suggest that the PPP/C Government is not open to dialogue with regard to the development of the Indigenous peoples of Guyana”, the PM asserted.
He said that not only is Shuman’s position inconsistent with the record of the PPP/C when it comes to Amerindian development throughout its tenure in office, but it runs counter to the goodwill and good faith that he and the Deputy Speaker shared in their most recent engagement.
The PM said that on October 25, 2021, at his office, he and Shuman cordially discussed several matters related to indigenous peoples’ development and the Government’s approach to bridging the digital divide and disparity in quality of life between the hinterland and coastland.
The PM said that Shuman then publicly declared on Facebook: “The Prime Minister iterated his government’s commitment to taking steps to ensure Indigenous Peoples are part of the development of Guyana under the One Guyana framework and that the infrastructural needs are critical to such future plans along with ICT access among others. He was also very receptive to ideas put forth on advancing initiatives that will enhance IP’s [Indigenous Peoples] presence and participation in Guyana”.
Phillips said that it is now “an enigma” that only a few weeks later, Shuman has taken a position in “contradiction” to the facts when even in the letter he admitted to being consulted on numerous occasions and his suggestions considered.
“Outside of this inconsistency, I urge him to continue to engage the relevant authorities and respective ministries where there are concerns, as he has done in the past.
“Our Indigenous brothers and sisters form a significant part of our country’s history and will most certainly be a part of its future and development through a considerate and consultative mechanism, as has been consistently demonstrated by successive PPP/C Governments”, Phillips said.
The Prime Minister took the opportunity “to reaffirm our Government’s commitment to the equitable development of Guyana and the improvement of the livelihoods of all Guyanese”.
Commentators have noted that nothing in the Shuman Facebook post referred to by the PM declares that the government has adequately consulted with the Indigenous Peoples. Furthermore, Shuman in his letter had made a major issue of the government’s agreement to permit mining in the Marudi Mountain which was sealed long after October 25 and which has attracted criticism from a number of voices including the South Rupununi District Council. Shuman’s letter had also cited the case of the Law Reform Commission where he said that a suitable nominee of the Indigenous Peoples was replaced by the government with a pliable person. Phillips’ statement yesterday did not address either of these concerns.
In his letter, Shuman issued a blistering attack on the PPP/C government.
“In the supposedly `re-invented’ PPP post the 2020 elections, it was my sincere belief that the PPP was a transformed organisation and that they were open to dialogue on issues surrounding Indigenous Peoples. I can say with absolute conviction, nothing is further from the truth. The PPP Government did not facilitate meaningful dialogue with Indigenous Peoples on the Marudi Mountain gold mining agreement. The agreement should be rescinded and returned to the table for discussions to ensure they are in compliance with Indigenous Peoples’ rights at their core”, Shuman stated.
He said he had offered his services to the government to assist in resolving mining disputes pertaining to Indigenous communities but only two meetings were held and he had been unaware that a decision had been reached on mining in the South Rupununi.
“It is my informed view that the Government of Guyana under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has zero inclination to meaningfully consult the Indigenous Peoples on any matter. It is also my informed view that they intend to throw money at the problems the Indigenous Peoples face instead of genuinely trying to find comprehensive solutions to addressing them. By addressing the issues comprehensively, it empowers Indigenous Peoples which poses a problem to the PPP and that is far removed from the modus operandi and intent of the PPP”, Shuman declared.
In relation to the Law Reform Commission (Amendment) Bill which was passed in Parliament earlier this year, Shuman’s letter said that in its first draft he objected to the Attorney General on the grounds that Indigenous Peoples are not represented simply because the Indigenous Peoples Commission (IPC) is there. He recommended that the National Toshaos Council (NTC) be the body to nominate a candidate to represent Indigenous Peoples. Shuman said that after five months of back and forth, his recommendation was finally taken on and the law was passed with the amendment that the NTC would nominate a candidate.
“Upon completion of their process, the NTC nominated a candidate who, from an Indigenous Peoples perspective, is eminently qualified for that and many other positions relating to Indigenous Peoples. When the nomination was made to the AG’s office, the candidate was removed from the list and replaced by another more pliable candidate of non-indigenous persuasion”, Shuman stated.
He called on the Government to rescind the mining agreement for the Marudi Mountain and return to the table for discussions.
“This would be a clear indication of the value the PPP Administration places on Indigenous Peoples and their intent on being one that respects the Constitution and the rule of law”, he said.
