Taushida Village to benefit from Rest House

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs handed over a cheque to the value of $1.5M to Taushida Village, region 9 on January 25, 2012. Toshao Moses Isaacs collected the cheque on behalf of the Village from the Permanent Secretary, Nigel Dharamlall at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Thomas and Quamina Streets. The money will be used for the construction of a village rest house.

Taushida is a small Amerindian Village located in the Karasbai sub –district. The village has a population of 290 persons. The project is expected to complement ongoing tourism activities in the village. Construction of the rest house will be done by the Villagers and is expected to be completed by April 30, 2012.



Nigel Dharamlall, Permanent Secretary hands over the cheque to Toshao Moses Isaacs. Looking on is Anil Roberts, PRDO, MoAA.

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Two Region One villages receive transport boost from Amerindian Affairs Ministry

Georgetown, GINA, January 20, 2012

Residents of Kamwatta, in the Moruca sub-region, Region One are the beneficiaries of a minibus valued $3.2M presented to them by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. The village has a population of approximately 300 people.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai handed over the keys to the vehicle to Kamwatta’s Senior Councillor, Ronald Benjamin.



Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai presents the keys to a minibus to Senior Councillor, Kamwatta, Ronald Benjamin.

The purchase of the vehicle was made possible through the 2010 and 2011 presidential grants and contributions from the village. The minibus will be used mainly to transport children.

“The Moruca sub-region is fast becoming a township in its own right; it is taking on a township pattern now…when I was there in December I was told that there is a count of 62 vehicles,” Minister Sukhai said at the hand over at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

Benjamin expressed appreciation for the gesture and other forms of assistance from government over the years. These he said are ‘powerful development tools for our community’.



Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai shakes hands with Sebai Toshao Herbie Campbell after presenting him with a boat engine.


Minister Sukhai said, “We understand that the road to Kamwatta has improved. However, from time to time there have been issues on how fast the improvement is taking place and how the road is standing up in some areas.”

Meanwhile immediately after, the Ministry handed over a 40 -horsepower outdoor engine to Sebai village, region 1. Toshao Herbie Campbell received the equipment valued $1.2M. To complement the engine, a boat is being constructed. The Village Council was encouraged to establish a committee that will manage the use of the engine to the benefit of the community.



The minibus presented to Kamwatta, Moruca-sub region, Region One.


She told the Toshao that, “an engine needs maintenance and that the funds received from cost recovery will go towards maintaining the engine”. 

Toshao Herbie also thanked the Government and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs for the assistance.

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South Rupununi villages get $5M transport boost from Amerindian Ministry

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs on January 13, 2011 handed over one Nissan Frontier vehicle to the villages of South Central Rupununi at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

The vehicle, procured at the cost of over $5M will be used for health purposes and will benefit the villages of Katoonarib, Sawariwau, Rupunau, Potarinau, Shulinab, Parikwarinau and Sand Creek.



The vehicle that was handed over to South Rupununi villages.

“I am entrusting to Ken (Faria), the Toshao, the responsibility of ensuring that with speed or with some level of haste that the committee be established, the ground rules for its use and management be fully worked out in collaboration with all the villages, and the base be properly determined,” Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai said at the handing over.



Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai hands over the keys to the Nissan vehicle to Toshao of Sand Creek, Ken Faria that will benefit villages of the South Rupununi.

Although the vehicle will be stationed at Sand Creek, it would be used to support other health programmes such as vaccination, dental care, the delivery of drugs and emergency evacuation of patients.

The management committee that will oversee the use of the vehicle will comprise a representative from each of the villages that will benefit.

“The vehicle that we have here will indeed help our communities because it has been an issue of transportation…and I want to thank the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs for donating this beautiful vehicle to our sub district,” Toshao Faria said.



Principal Regional Development Officer of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry Anil Roberts, Toshao of Sand Creek Ken Faria, Stephen Faria, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Nigel Dharamlall in the foreground of the vehicle.

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Minister Sukhai visits Kaikan

- urges residents to build partnerships

Georgetown, GINA, October 17, 2011

The Amerindian Affairs Ministry has held another community outreach, this time to Kaikan, Region Seven where Minister Pauline Sukhai and National Toshao Council (NTC) Chairperson Yvonne Pearson and other officials from the Ministry met with the community to discuss issues of concerns related to land demarcation, water and health among others.

Minister Sukhai engaged residents in discussions about their decision not to accept land demarcation since that community has been pushing for ownership of what they refer to as their traditional lands.



NTC Chairperson Yvonne Pearson (standing) speaking to residents. At left are Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and Toshao Claude Anselmo. At far right is Principal Regional Development Officer of the Ministry Anil Roberts.


According to Minister Sukhai, it is only a few communities that are leaning in this direction and their decision can impact negatively on the pace of their development. She urged them to build partnerships and relations with other organizations which could help in advancing their development plans.

NTC Chair Yvonne Pearson highlighted the development and progress which Amerindians have been benefiting from over the years.

She reflected on the period in Guyana’s history when Amerindians were neglected. Today, they are represented at every level, both nationally and internationally, Pearson said.

Citing the Indigenous People’s Commission (IPC), the NTC and the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNFPII) and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Pearson stated that these bodies represent Government’s interest in protecting and preserving the rights of Guyana’s indigenous peoples.

She made further reference to Amerindians having absolute ownership of the land that they occupy instead of user rights which is what other countries grant to their indigenous peoples.




The newly built Kaikan Primary school and teachers’ quarters.


In this regard, the NTC Chair noted the changes that have taken place in Guyana over the years to the extent that the country is now made up of six peoples who are all Guyanese and have equal rights to the country’s resources.

She added that although Amerindians are recognized as the first people, they are not the only people and therefore, “it is not fair for one people to own half of the country’s land” when one takes into consideration the other five peoples,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Minister Sukhai reaffirmed that Government’s intention is to strengthen Amerindians’ land tenure and has completed demarcation of 77 communities in 15 years with limited financial resources. She emphasized that Government has made tremendous strides in advancing Amerindian development and will continue to do so.




Minister Sukhai greets residents of Kaikan.


Among the other concerns raised related to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) which some claimed they were not fully aware of.

This was addressed by Minister Sukhai who reminded them that every community was included in the consultation process and several meetings were conducted in Region Seven.



Minister Sukhai greets a mother and her baby in Kaikan.


However, she reiterated that under the LCDS, residents of the communities will be allowed to conduct their traditional activities such as farming, fishing and hunting. With respect to mining she explained that the LCDS will not stop mining, but is meant to ensure mining activities are carried out in accordance with the existing regulations and in a more sustainable manner.

She explained that the Opt-In mechanism of the LCDS does not pressure anyone to become involved, rather it allows them to choose whether or not they want to be part of the strategy.



A young Kaikan resident accessing water via a black tank.


Benefits to Kaikan

Minister Sukhai highlighted some of the benefits which were provided to that community in the recent past including a tractor valued $6.8M which was requested by the village. A plough and chipper which were also requested were provided by Government.



The tractor and chipper which was provided by government to Kaikan.

In 2010, Kaikan received $2.5M for water, $1.2M for agriculture and $3.8M for solar panels.

Under the Hinterland Electrification Programme that community is also slated to benefit from the 65-watts solar home systems that will soon be distributed to 11,000 Amerindian households in hinterland communities.

Kaikan residents have also been trained in the installation of solar panels.
They are not left out of other national initiatives such as the school feeding and uniform programmes and they also have better education and health facilities.

A new primary school and teachers’ quarters have just been completed at Kaikan.

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