Jagdeo, PPP offered Toshaos cash, plane tickets to boycott conference - Govt.

Jagdeo, PPP offered Toshaos cash, plane tickets to boycott conference – Govt.

Aug 18, 2015 News

Government has accused former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, and senior leaders of the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) of attempting to disrupt a key Amerindian conference that commenced yesterday.
Some were reportedly offered cash and plane tickets to return home, hours before the six-day National Toshaos’ Council Conference (NTC) that is scheduled to be held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Government has accused the Opposition of attempting to disrupt an annual Toshaos conference that was set to start yesterday (KN File Photo)

“It was with great disappointment but little surprise that the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs late tonight (Sunday) learnt of the high level of disrespect shown by Bharrat Jagdeo, Clement Rohee, Pauline Sukhai and Norman Whittaker for Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples,” a Government statement said.
The administration said that the PPP has moved from making scandalous statements about MP Sydney Allicock, the Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, to drive fear into the newly elected Toshaos of Guyana.
The Toshaos’ conference has been seen as a major battleground for the Government and the Opposition.
According to the statement, a PPP activist from Region Nine, Allister Charlie, and others provided transportation for several Toshaos to attend what was reportedly a meeting planned to discuss the National Toshaos’ Council Conference.
“Information received suggests that Toshaos were not told who the conveners of the meeting were. They were not told where they were going for the meeting either. Believing that they were on their way to an official meeting regarding the NTC conference, they went along.”
However, the Toshaos were taken to Red House, in Kingston, where the Amerindian leaders were confronted by a group of PPP “cabal” led by Jagdeo.
“They were first told that they would be given cash and return air fare to their homes. Toshaos reportedly stood their ground telling the PPP bullies that they came to the city to attend the NTC conference. They did not come to attend a political meeting or to meet with any political party.”
The Government statement claimed that not to be outdone, Jagdeo and the other PPP officials then insisted that the Toshaos must ensure that the PPP Toshaos are elected to all the executive positions in the NTC.
“They suggested that if the conference does not fail, then the PPP must dominate. Many leaders felt betrayed by Charlie and Pauline Sukhai who are indigenous people themselves, with Sukhai being the last Minister of Amerindian Affairs. The Toshaos reject the bullyism and the divisive message issued by Jagdeo and his clique.”
The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs said it is joining with the indigenous leaders of Guyana in rejecting and condemning the attempt to cause division among the people at this very important juncture in the country’s history.
“With the NTC, budget and heritage celebrations imminent, the agenda of the PPP is clear for all to see. It will not be surprising if the PPP attempts to further disrupt the proceedings of the National Toshaos’ Conference…”
The administration said that it is confident that the Toshaos’ rejection of the PPP’s overture is an indication of the maturity of the indigenous leaders of Guyana and augurs well for the success of the NTC conference.