Amerindians are original advocacy group for a rail service in Guyana

Jan 04, 2012 Letters

Dear Editor,
Not because the editorial of a newspaper recognizes the need for a rail service in 2011, does that mean that the topic was not discussed before..
Ashton Simon from the National Amerindian Development Foundation tried to impress then President Jagdeo that there was vital need for a rail service in Guyana, if we were to follow a sustained development path.
The first time I proposed a rail service for Guyana was at a National Toshaos Council Conference in 2009, then again at the launching of the third draft of the LCDS at the Yumana Yama in 2010.
Subsequently, the former president must have recognized the excellent concept of a rail service for Guyana being championed by the Amerindians.
Rails for Guyana is an Amerindian idea which we now recognize as being partnered by media houses, individuals and presidents.
I am proud to be recorded as the Indigenous person to have made this observation and making efforts to be heard by the highest forum in our country.
I was quite confident that maybe at that time it might have seemed irrelevant but ‘ideas’ don’t die and time will come when it becomes relevant.
I see this time of relevance fast approaching and my ignited interest keeps the concept alive. As was mentioned in the KN editorial, December 29, 2011.
Guyana needs a rail service – extract.. ‘And while Guyana can only sit and wonder what if, others are planning to construct railroads.
Bolivia’s President Evo Morales is planning a railway linking his country to Peru. This railway would run from the border with Brazil to the Peruvian port. The reason is that it is cheaper to ship cargo by rail than by road.’
I need to add to this.. we need our rail service to open the hinterland, tap and exploit our natural resources, open opportunities for the Indigenous peoples, improve our social services, improve hinterland education standards, increase tourism etc.
Our leaders in the past blundered on rails and we cannot afford to do it again..Lets look to China for help..I have seen impressive railway systems there.
Our rails must head South to our giant neighbor Brazil and in the process divert to Indigenous areas to make life better for them and create an economic strategy that will benefit all. This is my dream…
Ashton Simon – MBA
President – National Amerindian Development Foundation

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Amerindians are original advocacy group for a rail service in Guyana

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