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.