Gov’t will proceed with development projects despite budget cuts – President

By Svetlana Marshall

President Donald Ramotar on Monday said he will not sit back and allow developmental activities in Amerindian villages to stall as a result of the multibillion-dollar “budget cuts” imposed by the joint parliamentary opposition earlier this year.

His statement was made during the opening ceremony of the National Toshaos Council’s Conference at Guyana’s International Conference Centre. The conference is being held under the theme “Establishing Strategic Approaches and Alliances for Sustaining Amerindian Development.”
“Let it be known that this government was elected by the majority of the people and should be respected; and notwithstanding, the ill-advised budget cuts, I am moving forward with the Hinterland Solar Electrification Project to provide every hinterland home with solar panels for lighting and other basic usages.”
The ruling People’s Progressive Party gained the largest bloc of votes of any party, but the combined opposition secured more votes collectively, giving it a one-seat majority in the National Assembly.
Ramotar told the conference that despite the many challenges, the transformation of the lives of Amerindians must continue.
“The government would spare no effort to work towards improving the conditions… to enhance the lives of our Amerindian brothers and sisters, clearly stated in the PPP Manifesto for Amerindians.”
In the area of land distribution, the head of state said his government is fully aware that the acquisition of land is essential for human survival and development.
Hence, in September – Amerindian Heritage Month, the government will move to sign the Amerindian Land Titling document with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The signing of the document will make way for the implementation of a three-year “Land Titling and Demarcation Project” taking into consideration the villages that applied for land and the 41 applicants who are vying for their lands to be extended. In an effort to effectively execute this project, the president disclosed that Gy$ 1.5 billion has been already secured for this initiative.
To date, there are 96 titled Amerindian villages occupying almost 14 per cent of Guyana.
Turning his attention to the Community Development Plans, the head of state said he has instructed Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh to “sign off the flow of the GRIF funds to allow for the implementation of the Amerindian Fund Agreement with the UNDP”.
“The agreement will see our villages benefit from approximately Gy$ 360 million over the period of time,” the president said.
It was explained that the project has been designed to transform the villages’ economies from their current levels and vulnerability. “Of course, we would like you to develop your traditional kinds of work and agriculture, but in our modern times too, it is important that you get involved to improve the capacity of the people of your villages, also to improve your village economy to make it stronger and make it capable of sustaining future development.”

Significant strides
Boasting of the significant strides made in the health and education sectors, President Ramotar posited that the glaring achievements were not accomplished by chance but through strategic programmes established by the PPP/ C and keenly executed by employees who have vowed to serve their country despite the many challenges.
“Today, almost every hinterland resident can have access to basic forms of healthcare which only two decades ago was nonexistent.” He added that more schools will be constructed in the hinterland areas to complement the 13 secondary schools that are serving hundreds of children.
By next month, the Education Ministry, in collaboration with the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, will commission a secondary school at Sand Creek while another will be built at Kato with the aim of facilitating some 500 students.
He urged that Amerindian villages across the country continue to teach the various Amerindian languages to keep the culture of the indigenous people alive. On this note, he applauded the Amerindian students drawn from the various regions who recited the National Pledge and Anthem in their Amerindian dialects.
Meanwhile, National Toshaos Council Chairperson Yvonne Pearson, who will be demitting office this week, in her final remarks as chairperson, applauded the government of Guyana for its support to Amerindians across the country. She urged the indigenous leaders to capitalise on the many opportunities the conference offers and most of all solve the many problems hindering development in Amerindian communities.