People’s Progress Party Member of Parliament Norman Whittaker has waded into the People’s National Congress Reform party for accusing the administration of neglecting Amerindians in Guyana.
David Granger
Whittaker, a liaison officer to the minister of Amerindian Affairs, said that valuable progress has been made over the years in hinterland communities in several sectors, including agriculture, education, health, and infrastructure, among other things.
His comments came in response to statements made by the PNCR that there has been extreme neglect of Amerindian communities, especially those in Region One.
PNCR’s presidential candidate David Granger last week said that the PPP/C have maintained a “corral economy” in Region One, a region known for its many rich natural resources.
Granger’s claim is that Region One has become one of the poorest and most underdeveloped regions in the country.
However, Whittaker told Guyana Times International that there have been several developments within that region and, in general, all indigenous communities.
He pointed out that, apart from the numerous developments already made in Amerindian communities, including those in Region One, additional interventions will be made as a result of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and its agreement with Norway.
Norman Whittaker
According to Whittaker, a PNCR team went to Region One to hold a community meeting, and only about 20 persons attended; but the PNCR has since returned to the city, making statements as though there was a diverse representation of views from residents in the region.
He noted that the few ‘walk around unnoticed’ meetings cannot garner a true representation of what is happening in the region.
He further stated that “the PPP/C have worked to correct the historical injustice of the neglected Amerindian people, since taking office.”
Whittaker told Guyana Times International that the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has been working to diversify village economies.
“Government has been supporting the economic livelihood of our Amerindians through programmes such as the National Hinterland Secure Livelihood Programme, the Presidential Grant, and the Hot Meal Project for primary schools. Added to this is the expanding market arising out of increased demand for vegetables, poultry meat etc”.
He also said that emphasis is currently being placed on moving agriculture in the hinterland regions from a subsistence level to a more self-sustaining and marketable level.
Additionally, rehabilitation work has recently been done on the pump stations at Port Kaituma and Matthews Ridge, while water storage facilities are being set up in a number of communities.
“Through the National Toshaos Council and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, the community health workers and the community development officers have been working to educate Amerindians on issues of domestic violence, child abuse, trafficking in persons etc”.
Whittaker noted that there is always room for improvement, but he said the PNCR should recognise the progress made in Region One and in other Amerindian communities and regions.
Granger had said that from his meeting with citizens in Region One, residents mounted complaints of poor roadways and inadequate electricity and water supplies, environmental degradation, haphazard housing and settlement.
