The PPP/C Government will continue to support the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) project and this year the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs will be pursuing 19 demarcations and 11 land extensions.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai yesterday made this disclosure during her contribution on day three of the 2023 budget debate as she scolded the Opposition over declarations that they “care” for Amerindian people.
Instead, she said the Opposition “failed the Amerindians miserably”.
With support from the Government side of the House, Sukhai used time allocated during her budget presentation to call out the Opposition on their failure to complete a single land titling while they were in office.
She said during 2015 to 2020, land tenure for Amerindians was “simply not a priority”.
“…..Mr Speaker upon our resumption of office, the PPP/Civic Government has reaffirmed its commitment towards ensuring the fulfilment of our manifesto commitment and our governmental obligation to ensure that we complete the land tenure project which will benefit numerous Amerindian villages when its concluded,” Sukhai told the National Assembly.
In just under two years after the PPP/C assumed office in 2020, Sukhai said the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs demarcated seven villages and issued five certificates of title to Amerindian villages.
To date, she said, they have also completed revision of 23 investigative reports. “…We will act on them. We will not sit down for 5 years and watch them on the shelves,” Sukhai said.
And, according to Sukhai the Ministry will also be pursuing 19 demarcations and 11 land extensions in 2023. “Far more than zero which the APNU+AFC government delivered to the Amerindians. Shame on you,” Sukhai told the opposition.
This year, $500 million has been allocated towards the ALT project.
“The Government will further support the ALT programme through the allocation of $500 million to advance Amerindian land titling activities to further safeguard and improve the security of land tenure enjoyed by Amerindian peoples,” Sukhai yesterday said.
The Amerindian Land Titling Project is facilitated through the Amerindian Act of 2006.
The project which seeks to enable Amerindians to secure their lands and natural resources with a view towards sustainable social and economic development, began in October 2013 under the PPP/C government.
It was funded by a $2.2 billion (US$11M) United Nations Development Programme grant.
