Community Development projects to go ahead in Amerindian communities

– agreement to be signed at NTC conference The sixth annual National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference will culminate with the signing of an agreement between the United Nations Development Project (UNDP) and the Government of Guyana for the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) that will commence the execution of community development projects in Amerindian communities. Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai told the media of this development during a press briefing on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at the Amerindian Affairs ministry as she outlined some of the week-long activities that will be facilitated at the upcoming NTC conference that will be hosted from August 6-10, 2012 at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal. Also in attendance at the press briefing was Permanent Secretary Nigel Dharamlall and NTC Chairperson, Yvonne Pearson. The NTC conference is a collaborative venture between the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the National Toshaos Council. The NTC meeting is organised with the aim of engaging Amerindian leaders and stakeholders in discussion towards intensifying developments in Amerindian communities. This year’s event will be hosted under the theme, “Establishing Strategic Approaches and Alliances for Sustaining Amerindian Development” at which approximately 190 village leaders; Toshaos and Senior Councilors and 13 Community Development Officers (CDOs) are expected to participate. Minister Sukhai said issues that will be up for discussion include: the opt-in mechanism for the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDs,) issues of governance, legislation, administration and resource management. Activities will also include the swearing in of a number of Toshaos as Rural Constables and Justices of the Peace, and as well the usual discussions and interaction of development issues among village leaders, the President and other members of the Cabinet. Two days have been set aside for these engagements. The NTC Chairperson said that the Toshaos are eagerly anticipating the event, and expressed her gratitude to be provided the opportunity to review and examine some of the developments that would have occurred since the hosting of the 2011 conference.