Gov’t Accelerating Demarcation of Amerindian Communities … Demarcation Completed in Toka, Shulinab, Region Nine

Land demarcation has been completed in two more Amerindian communities as the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs continues to advance its mission to ensure equal rights for Guyana’s indigenous people.

During a press conference held at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, on August 11, 2010, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai informed the media that the demarcation process has been completed in Toka, North Rupununi and Shulinab, South Central Rupununi and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) is in the process of preparing the relevant maps and plans.

The Ministry aims to complete demarcation in five more communities before the end of this year.

“The programme is extensive and “another US$ 3M is available to complete other villages that are eligible for demarcation,” Minister Sukhai stated.

This investment will create employment and promote security among Amerindians with the guarantee of land rights. Guyana is one of the three countries in the entire global community where Amerindians are given rights to land ownership.
During a recent visit to Rivers’ View, Region Ten, Minister Sukhai said it was “a privilege that was conferred on the Amerindians by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government.”

Prior to 1992 only 74 villages were titled. This number has increased to 96 titled villages and 70 demarcated villages in less than a decade. This reflects the importance which Government has placed on the issue of Amerindian land rights in Guyana.

Minister Sukhai explained that even though some Amerindian communities do not officially own the land they occupy because of the lack of evidence by documentation, Government has registered those communities based on their individual population of more than 150 and the fact that they may have been established longer than 25 years.
This signals Government’s recognition of the occupation of these lands by Amerindians that have been traditionally used in the past and continue to be used today.