South Rupununi Development Council account of events was incomplete

Jul 29, 2020 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Please allow me to respond to an article in your paper entitled “SRDC condemns Region 9 REO for misinforming media and threats made to Toshaos” (KN Jul 25, 2020).
To begin with, I want to remind readers that I was the most prolific non-Amerindian writer to your letters column prior to 2015, pontificating the virtues of Amerindians and highlighting the many injustices meted out to them by the then Administration. I will be equally vocal in pointing out discrepancies in the administration of Amerindian villages and areas. I reserve that right, especially as REO of the largest Region, which is mainly populated by Amerindians. I still maintain that they are a special people.
However, that special status does not give them the right to flout, with impunity, the provisions of the COVID-19 measures; and that has largely been the case. This constant flouting of the measures will invariably put the rest of the Region at grave risk. Sadly, that is the present case.
At the meeting of the Regional Health Emergency Operations Committee (RHEOC) held on Wednesday 2020-07-22, I informed the committee of instances of flouting which ranged from regular parties in villages to persons permitted to cross the borders illegally, and being hidden by relatives, unknowing to the Toshaos and Village Councils.
I warned if these behaviours were to persist, then there will come a time when the Regional Authorities will not be able to assist. Help will be summoned but none will be forthcoming. That is the reality. If that was misunderstood then I apologise for the misunderstanding.
The reality is that we have to change our behaviours, for everyone’s benefit. There are health practitioners who are making great sacrifices to ensure we all are safe. Presently, the COVID-19 Response Team is living in self-isolation, away from the comfort of their homes and families. It is one team, not two or ten – one.
I have seen the driver meeting his pregnant wife from a distance, not even a hold hand is permitted, much less a hug. He has been living like this for the past three months. What is more is the fact that they are on a moment’s notice to move – suit and all.
In light of these unselfish sacrifices, what will it take for us all to abide by the guidelines as set out by the health authorities. I think it is downright selfish of us, very uncaring if I may add. I have received reports as well of one senior Toshao who verbally abused a visiting heath team to his village while in an inebriated state. These actions cannot bode well for our fight against the deadly virus.
The SRDC approached the RHEOC for permission to erect several gates to regulate persons passing through their communities. This eventually descended into the practice of persons being allowed to pass selectively.
At the beginning of the gates, I did inform the villages that COVID will visit them not from Lethem but from Brazil. I was able to make that prediction because of what we all knew but were not willing to call it. My prediction has come to pass.
What is more frustrating is the fact that all the Toshaos know of the arrangements we have made with the Guyana Consulate in Boa Vista to facilitate Guyanese wanting to come home. I stand by my comments that some of those returning are being hidden by relatives. This was confirmed by the Toshao of Aishalton at the meeting alluded to earlier.
As to assistance from the Regional Authorities, if the SRDC wants to be honest, they will tell you that very early in the life of the RHEOC (this came into being on the 23rd March 2020), I made an offer to the villages to identify two persons each to work in their communities to monitor the borders and to screen persons crossing. To date, I am still to receive those recommendations. Together, we also identified eleven (11) villages where checkpoints are to be established. I have the funds but repeated requests to meet with the Chairman of the National Toshaos’ Council have been unfruitful.
I loaned a boat and engine to the St. Ignatius Village to assist them in patrols. One drum of fuel was also given. They approached me for another drum. I requested a report before that drum was delivered. It took three (3) weeks for that report to be furnished. There must be accountability.
Before the gates were erected, some with the help of the Regional Administration, the SRDC gave the RHEOC the commitment that these gates will be monitored 24/7. We now know that is not so. A resident of Achawib, South Rupununi died recently from snakebite. She was at the gate of her own community for a reported three hours, then at the next village, Karudarnaua for another two hours. She died.
I, as REO cannot, and will not pat the SRDC on their backs and pretend that they are doing a good job when clearly they are not, especially when lives are at stake.
I therefore urge the SRDC to work closely with the RHEOC to contain the COVID-19 virus to the affected villages. Failing to do this will result in community spread and there will be little, which the over-worked Health Team will be able to do. The ball is effectively in their court. What they do with it will determine whether they swim or sink.
Yours truly,
Carl Parker
Regional Executive Officer – Region Nine

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