Government committed to development of Amerindian communities

Mar 03, 2015 News

“Being able to connect the coastland to hinterland regions is a major factor in developing Amerindian communities. It is vital to their advancement.”

Some of those who attended last Sunday’s meeting.

This point was highlighted by Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, to numerous persons during an address in Region One last Sunday.
It was noted that Amerindians are the most at risk group in Guyana and the current government is “committed, despite all odds, to improve their livelihood and living standards.” This can be done once communication and transportation becomes easy for movement between the two areas.
The Public Works Minister made the pledge to improve the livelihood of Amerindians when he spoke at the Kumaka Recreational Ground, Barima-Waini. He said “stunted growth” is one issue that personally affects him.
He highlighted to the large crowd that the combined Opposition’s refusal to approve funds for the maintenance of hinterland airstrips was a thoughtless act which denied many Amerindians their basic rights. Last year, $248M was allocated for the rehabilitation of airstrips in Matthews Ridge, Imbaimadai and Kamarang and the maintenance of 43 airstrips in Regions One, Two, Seven, Eight and Nine.
However, because the Administration had bundled the allocations for airstrips with other controversial and unwanted projects during the 2014 budget, funds were turned down by the opposition parties when it came time to vote in Parliament. The Minister emphasized, however, that the airstrips are critical for the movement of goods and services “in and out of these communities”.
The failed Amalia Falls Hydropower project was also addressed by the Minister. He claimed that the project was important for the country and would have resulted in a reduced light bill for Guyanese. “… In particular, we would have savings for renewable sustaining energy project. That way, we can make the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) facilities available to communities that have inadequate power supply,” he disclosed.
There were a number of missed opportunities to attract new investments as a result of not having cheap, renewable energy, the Public Works Minister stated.
Commenting on road works, Minister Benn said that approximately $70M has been set aside this year to improve the networks in the Moruca sub-region. “Thirteen point five kilometers of new roads were developed in the area; however, some of them are not up to standard. We have to make a change. I have instructed my engineer so that we make that change quickly,” Minister Benn charged.
Noting that General Elections is less than three months away, Minister Benn told the gathering that unity and peace must prevail and that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has the best talented, most committed leaders to move Guyana forward.
The Minister said to the Amerindians that “We recognize that our Amerindian people throughout the country need to access and benefit from all aspects of the social, economic and developmental spheres, irrespective of where they are living…The party I represent has been making great efforts to improve their livelihood and living standard.”

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