GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – President Irfaan Ali Monday said that his administration is prepared to work fully with the National Toshaos Council (NTC), saying such synergy is a steadfast principle that will guide their shared journey towards the upliftment of the Amerindian people.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the NTC Conference 2023, Ali said the voices, ideas, and recommendations of Guyana’s Indigenous peoples must be acknowledged, deeply respected, and honored.
The four-day event is being held under the theme “Advancing sustainable village development in a low carbon economy.”
“Our philosophy is an unchanging philosophy when it comes to our Amerindian brothers and sisters,” he told the conference, adding, “It was one of respect, one of honor, one in which we have never faltered from our responsibility investing in you and your communities, and you must not take that for granted.”
President Ali said his administration has accomplished nearly all the manifesto commitments made to the Amerindian population.
“Every single thing we have done with our Amerindian brothers and sisters was done in consultation with you, with your voice, taking into consideration your ideas [and] your thoughts.
“And I must say that the representation and the participation from our Amerindian brothers and sisters in the villages and communities have been enormous, and we welcome this…because we believe with greater participation, there will be greater understanding,” he added.
Over the past three years, the government has injected an estimated GUY$ 50 billion in capital expenditure in hinterland and riverine communities. It has allocated GUY $2.2 billion this year for older people in those communities.
Ali said that as the government moves towards expanding the hospitality industry, scores of people from the indigenous communities will also play an integral role.
He said that in the housing sector, an estimated GUY$300 million worth of supplies, including blocks, are being generated from those communities to drive the administration’s housing agenda further.
“You now contribute significantly to delivering goods and services to the government. You are now building blocks [and] cutting timber for the government in many communities. You’re producing food items for different institutions in government. You’re building homes and furniture for schools.”
He told the audience that as part of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, at least 15 percent of the funds from the sale of carbon credits would go toward the Indigenous people and that more than GUY$4.7 billion has been transferred to date.
Ali said the government has invested nearly three billion dollars in improving the water supply in hinterland and riverine communities, establishing more than 40 new wells.
He said the health sector has also benefitted from implementing 18 telemedicine sites in the hinterland and riverine communities, allowing medical workers in those far-flung areas to communicate effectively with specialists in the capital city.
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