GUYANA-POLITICS-Amerindians promised they would benefit fully from the country’s resources.

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GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Amerindians in Guyana are assured their lives will improve as the government has allocated GUY$4.7 billion (One Guyana dollar=US$0.004 cents) towards their development and millions more in the health, education, infrastructure, and social services sectors.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai made the promise during day three of the Budget debate on Wednesday.

She told the National Assembly that the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government is vested in ensuring that hinterland and Amerindian communities benefit from all resources and programs that will improve their lives.

Among the many initiatives in the 2023 budget is $500 million that will go towards advancing land titling in Amerindian communities. This will ensure that Amerindian communities have the absolute ownership of their lands.

“The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs will be pursuing 19 demarcations and 11 land extensions, far more than the zero which the APNU+AFC [former government] delivered to the Amerindians,” Minister Sukhai pointed out.

An additional $500 million is earmarked to continue the construction and equip ICT hubs in the various Amerindian communities in 2023. Also, $205 million has been allocated for women, culture, and preserving Amerindian languages.

To support Amerindian leaders, a sum of $147 million has been earmarked to complete the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) Secretariat and furnish the facility.

During her presentation, Minister Sukhai reminded me of the APNU+AFC administration’s failures in Amerindian development from 2015 to 2020.

“Upon return to the office, the PPP/C government met many issues that affected our indigenous people. These range from indiscriminate neglect and stagnant village economies to the pause of land titling for our first people,” she said.

Charging that about 1,972 Community Service Officers were dismissed by the APNU+AFC, taking $700 million from the pockets of Amerindian youths, Sukhai added: “Today, 2,500 young people have fully engaged again and are receiving an income so they can help put food on their tables.”

The program has since been reinstated and is expected to increase to 3,000 in 2023, creating 500 more jobs for Amerindian youths.

Minister Sukhai stressed that since assuming office, the PPP/C administration had reinstated several programs that seek to improve the lives of Amerindians.

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