Latest update February 14th, 2025 8:22 AM
100 computer centres to be in Amerindian communities by next month
Government is expected to complete the construction of 100 computer centres in several Amerindian communities in June. This is part of Government’s developmental agenda to bridge the digital divide between the coastland and hinterland communities.
Pauline Sukhai, Minister of Amerindian Affairs.
This was revealed by Pauline Sukhai, Minister of Amerindian Affairs during a press conference at her Thomas Street, Georgetown, office yesterday. She was at the time updating the media on her recent engagement at the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
According to the Minister, the United Nations forum was informed of Government’s investment in Amerindian children and youths, particularly the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP).
The YEAP initiative saw the engagement of over 900 youths being trained in the areas of health, education, infrastructure, cultural and youth development, and Information Communication and Technology.
Sukhai stressed that Information Communication and Technology is a critical competency the Ministry wants to see developed to “bridge the digital gap that exist between the coastal areas and the hinterland.”
But with the $796M allocation disapproved in the National Assembly by the joint Opposition, expansion of the YEAP initiative is not possible as yet. If the allocation is restored, one youth from every Amerindian village will be tutored as trainers in the area of Information Communication and Technology (ICT). They would be tasked with managing and training their peers and community members at established computer hubs.
Sukhai related that the forum was told about the Ministry’s entrepreneurial programme that allowed 198 youths to be trained in computer skills and solar panel system repairs and installation. These trainings are relevant since individuals would be able to repair computer systems and solar panels which would be used to power the computer centres.
She added that Government is making efforts to equip hinterland secondary schools with computer laboratories.
According to Sukhai, for the past 20 years Government has been aggressively pursuing the development of Amerindians. Government believes in equity, non-discrimination and good governance and even with the disapproval of the $1.1B Amerindian Funds allocation in the Budget, it will continue to be responsive to the needs of Amerindians.
“The non-approval of the Budget for Amerindians is total disregard for Amerindians…We emphasized that the wellbeing of the indigenous people would be impacted negatively, maybe in the short term because at this point we are meeting here the Budget has not been reinstated,” she said.
The Minister emphasized that Amerindian communities are governed by the Amerindian Act and have village leaders. They have high expectations to carryout developmental projects which are currently at a standstill.
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