Give project tenders in Amerindian villages to residents Andries By Desiree Jodah Stabroek News April 11, 2000 Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) People's National Congress MP Kelly Andries has recommended that the power to appoint teachers be returned to the regional and district education officers. In his presentation in the budget debate on Thursday, Andries called for all project tenders in Amerindian villages to be given to residents; improved educational facilities at all levels in the hinterland communities; affordable air transport; and better wages for hinterland workers. He also urged that Amerindian land rights be settled as one package taking in extension, titling and demarcation. According to Andries, the taking away of the power of appointment by the Teaching Service Commission from the Regional and District Education Officers would be a deterrent to interior residents wishing to apply for teaching jobs. He said that the cost for an applicant to travel to the city for an interview was enormous, noting that a return fare from the nearest community is $30,000. The Region Seven resident urged that provision be made for better educational facilities at all levels in the hinterland communities, especially Amerindian communities. Andries objected to the request by the Ministry of Education for contingency fees from schoolchildren. He said the cost of living was very high and cited the price of $1,000 per gallon for gasolene. To ask parents to find money for contingency fees would be "pressuring", Andries declared. Many Amerindian communities have been subjected to substandard work from contractors, said Andries, and recommended that all project contracts be granted to residents even if they did not qualify because of the lack of formal education. He said Amerindians have constructed buildings which have lasted for years. Andries said hinterland residents were at the mercy of private aircraft owners, some of whom double the air fares from certain areas. He said Amerindians have been suffering since the old Guyana Airways Corporation suspended its domestic service. Government should seriously address the question of better payment for public sector workers in hinterland communities. Travel, food and living expenses should be taken into consideration for these workers, said Andries. He lambasted the government's handling of the demarcation of Amerindian lands. Andries said demarcation should be the last phase of the exercise to settle Amerindian land issues. He said many communities had rejected the demarcation exercise that was done by a task force set up by government. He argued that the issue of extensions to Amerindian lands should be addressed. "After all why demarcate the land if the intention is to deal with extensions some time soon?", questioned Andries. Amerindian land rights should be settled as one package which would include extension, titling and demarcation. According to Andries, this should happen during a negotiating process where freely chosen representatives of the Amerindians sit with the government and come to an agreement as to the procedure for settling the question. Andries closed by saying that "time and again," Amerindians have been given promises and they were tired of promises. He demanded rights for Amerindians and vowed that they are prepared to die for what belongs to them.