Amerindians given unprecedented attention
--- Minister Rodrigues in budget debate
Guyana Chronicle
April 17, 2004
MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues contended yesterday in Parliament that never in history have Amerindians been given the attention they are being given now by the present People's Progressive Party/ Civic administration.
The minister stated that she could not understand how Government can be accused of not addressing Amerindian land issues when this has been one of the critical areas that her Ministry has been focusing on.
She noted that among a significant number of communities granted land titles are Konashen and Baramita, two large Amerindian communities in Regions One and Nine. These villages recently received absolute grants to their lands by Government. The absolute grants will allow the villages the right to their land forever.
The minister observed that many village offices have been constructed through her ministry, and that this year's budget allows for ten more to be constructed.
Responding to criticisms of the ministry's Amerindian Hostel and comments by Guyana Action Party/Working People's Alliance, Shirley Melville, that Amerindians have to remain a long time at the hostel before being sent home, Minister Rodrigues replied that the Amerindians may have to undergo follow-up checks by doctors or may simply like the atmosphere of the newly rehabilitated and refurbished hostel, and so do not wish to leave immediately.
She pointed out that many communities did not get the opportunity to receive their land titles because mischievous individuals, pretending to have the Amerindians' interest at heart, influenced them by encouraging them to abandon land negotiations with her ministry.
Minister Rodrigues listed a number of programmes through her ministry from which Amerindians have benefited, including the training of village captains as rural constables and Justices of the Peace.
She also reiterated that the ministry can be considered a fairly young one, but has "grown from strength to strength." (GINA)