Amerindian Affairs Ministry embarks on strategy formulation
Kaieteur News
June 8, 2004
THE Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has embarked on strategy formulation in collaboration with sector agencies to examine the operations of the Ministry.
The aim is to have a critical view in order to improve efficiency and as such the Ministry is hosting a two-day workshop which commenced yesterday.
The workshop will see the setting up of a task force to examine the recommendations that will form the basis of the new strategy.
Participants of the workshop include representatives from Amerindian NGOs, Ministries of Health, Education, Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Environmental Protection Agency, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force, and the Regional Executive Officers from the riverain areas such as Region 1 (Barima/Waini), Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Region 7 (Mazaruni/Cuyuni), Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni), and Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Reginald Brotherson told Kaieteur News yesterday that the Ministry is a fairly new one and it was felt now is the time to examine itself to identify areas where changes could be made to make it more efficient and effective.
The Ministry was born out of President Cheddi Jagan’s administration when the PPP government was democratically elected in 1992. “We do not want to be seen as just being routine. We have to examine ourself and determine the way forward,” Brotherson said.
Yesterday’s workshop saw the division of participants into three groups and they examined various issues the Ministry deals with.
One group discussed security and infrastructure.
Another looked at education and social issues, while the other dealt with environmental issues.
Brotherson said the workshop will also serve as an eye-opener for the agencies to see how the Ministry operates.
The Permanent Secretary said the task force will look at the submissions from the workshop and formulate the new strategy for the Ministry.
Representatives from the Ministry and sector agencies will make up the task force.