Mervin Williams needs to reassess his accusation

Mar 09, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,
Mr. Mervyn Williams lamented in his March 7 letter, that there is “The continued violation of the rights of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples.” He referenced the government’s refusal to continue the process of consultation (aimed at culminating in the amendment to the Amerindian Act as a violation of the rights of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples. Well, I was very surprised that this was his interpretation and take on things Amerindians in Guyana, especially at this juncture in Guyana’s history, where Amerindians are enjoying a peak in their overall standing in the country.
I go back to Budget 2022, when Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, announced that in excess of $3.1B was set aside for the development of projects in Amerindian and Hinterland communities across the country. Under the theme, “Steadfast Against All Challenges, Resolute in Building Our One Guyana,” was to ensure that all Guyanese participate fully in the economic transformation that is currently unfolding in Guyana. According to Dr. Singh, the government is cognisant of the unique challenges faced by the Indigenous peoples particularly those residing in remote communities, and therefore, Budget 2022 will be addressing many of those challenges.
Singh was emphatic, stating that “We are committed to ensuring that Amerindian and hinterland villages are economically empowered, first and foremost through the land titling programme and secondly through development of the village economy.” He further added at the time that, “We are also committed to ensuring that all of the country’s best educational and training opportunities be available to our hinterland brothers and sisters as they are to those on the coast. And we are committed to ensuring that the quality of social services delivered to all villages be improved markedly.”
Let me outline for Mr. Williams a few things, and I think this may cause him to re-think.
In 2021, a total of five demarcations were completed. The Certificates of Title for these demarcations are currently being issued, and persons who reside within the Capoey Village were the first of these five villages to receive their Certificates of Title. Fast forward to 2022, and we have a commitment that the government will continue to support the rights of Indigenous peoples by accelerating the land titling programme at a cost of $561.6 million that has been allocated in the budget; this will a target a total of 20 Certificates of Title. With this kind of empowerment, I cannot fathom the idea that there is a violation of Amerindians’ rights in this land.
Again, in 2021, the government expended $673 million for tractors, implements and economic projects aimed at enhancing the development of agriculture, tourism, women and youth. This translated to 112 tractors and trailers, along with implements distributed to Amerindian communities, to help promote village agriculture as well as for use in transport. Now in 2022, $411.2 million was allocated to see an additional 71 communities benefitting similarly.
Put in a nutshell, empowerment is both legal and financial. If ever there was a significant and noticeable integration of and involvement in things Amerindians on a positive note, it is this day in Guyana. I wonder how many are with Williams on his posture that their rights are being neglected and violated.
Yours truly,
P. Mann

Latest News

Mervin Williams needs to reassess his accusation

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 4th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

President’s College upstage Santa Rosa to advance into Quarters

CWI withdraws penalty on John Campbell following...

‘One Guyana’ 3×3 Quest Basketball opens...

GCA, East Coast surge to huge wins

GFF/Concacaf kick off two-day Match Commissioners...

Chase’s Academic outclass Bartica to move...

Features/Columnists

Anticipation without preparation

The U.S. “Joining” the Commonwealth: an unreasonable expectation

Access to information should not come to this

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Mervin Williams needs to reassess his accusation

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 4th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]