Amerindian Affairs Minister, WIN MP clash over hinterland development during budget debate

Feb 04, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – Fiery exchanges marked the second day of the National Budget debate on Tuesday as discussions turned to Indigenous welfare and development in Guyana’s hinterland regions.

We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Member of Parliament Dawn Hastings-Williams criticised the government for what she described as inadequate development benefits for Amerindian and hinterland communities, raising concerns about poor infrastructure, unreliable electricity, and the deteriorating condition of hinterland airstrips.

In response, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Sarah Browne-Shadeek, rejected the claims, insisting that Indigenous communities have benefited significantly from sustained government investment and that the 2026 Budget provides for further expansion and development in the hinterland.

During her presentation, Hastings-Williams said many hinterland communities continue to face unfinished school projects, poor road networks, limited access to potable water, and unreliable electricity supply. She highlighted the situation in Kamarang, Region Seven, where residents reportedly receive only four hours of electricity daily.

“Mr. Speaker, for years the people of Kamarang have experienced limited access to electricity, just four hours per day, dependent on a costly and unreliable diesel system,” Hastings-Williams said.  She added, “I am humbly asking for at least 12 hours of electricity supply to ease the burden of spoiled goods, especially fresh fish and meats, for residents and small miners. If this request is taken on board and catered for in this year’s budget, we can truly say that the budget is putting people first.”

She also noted that access to water in the hinterland remains uneven, with inadequate maintenance of existing systems and persistent quality issues affecting vulnerable communities.

Turning her attention to transportation, Hastings-Williams emphasised the critical role of hinterland airstrips in connecting Amerindian villages to health facilities, schools, and markets. She criticised the condition and maintenance of several airstrips, describing them as unsafe and poorly managed.

“The opposition continues to receive reports of poor drainage, rapid surface deterioration, and inconsistent maintenance schedules,” she said. “Rehabilitation works often do not endure beyond one or two rainy seasons. What institutional reforms are being implemented to ensure durability, safety, and value for money? There must be systems in place to cater for emergencies.”

She also called for improvements to Amerindian hostels to better serve hinterland residents.

Responding to the criticism, Minister Browne-Shadeek defended the government’s record, stating that hinterland communities continue to benefit from steady improvements in infrastructure, education, and social services.

She noted that access to internet connectivity and education has expanded significantly, with more than 3,000 hinterland residents currently enrolled in the GOAL scholarship programme.

“As Amerindians and persons living in the hinterland, we are set to benefit from every single measure under this budget, just like every other Guyanese,” Browne-Shadeek said.

She outlined several budgetary initiatives benefiting hinterland residents, including a one-off $100,000 cash grant for new-borns, $46,000 for pensioners, an annual $20,000 transportation grant, one-off adult cash grants, and $85,000 cash transfers for students.

The minister also highlighted growth in housing and land allocation across hinterland regions, noting that 253 Amerindian villages have each received approximately $3 million in housing subsidies to support vulnerable residents, with further increases planned for 2026.

“We can further support communities by bridging gaps through transportation, buses, boats, ATVs, and other modes,” she said. “Children don’t have to walk long distances or paddle to school anymore.”

Addressing the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), Browne-Shadeek revealed that $14.5 billion has been directly disbursed to Amerindian villages for development projects.

“While revenues from carbon credit sales were low, Amerindian communities did not receive less,” she said. “In 2023, 15 per cent of revenues were transferred directly to villages, followed by 26.5 per cent in 2024 and 21 per cent in 2025. That, Mr Speaker, is putting people first.”

She further cited LCDS-funded projects including a new guest house in Mabaruma, a minimart in Kamana Village (Region Eight), women’s group initiatives in Kaikan (Region Seven), and a state-led tourism project featuring cabins in Region Two that are fully booked on weekends.

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• Budget Debate, Dawn Hastings, hinterland, Sarah Browne-Shadeek

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