…for Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai
Newly re-appointed Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Campbell-Sukhai, on the outskirts of the swearing-in ceremony of Cabinet Ministers Wednesday said that she is eager to return to office to represent the interest of indigenous people in key areas such as land titling, COVID-19 and food security.
First, she noted that an assessment must be conducted on what has been done by the previous administration over the last five years and what are the existing gaps. Sukhai who held the portfolio in the Donald Ramotar PPP/C administration between 2011-2015 explained that, since her party left office, information on key issues has not being coming to them directly. However, she said that the party is aware that many challenges exist. “We’ve noticed all the neglect but we still have to assess what has to be done, quickly,” she said.
One focus area is the Amerindian Land Titling Project through which the current Government had the intention of addressing by 2015. The Project is geared towards Amerindian villages where two thirds of the adult population request this to be done based on the principles of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC).
Historically, high costs have been a barrier to achieving this policy objective. However, it was envisioned that with the allocation of funds from the Guyana REDD‐plus Investment Fund (GRIF), under the Low Carbon Development Strategy, this objective would have been realised.
However, some indigenous groups are still pressing for land titling and Campbell-Sukhai hopes to address this. She said: “Land is a very major issue for the Amerindians. We need to do that, complete that. Our government, when we were there, had monies committed to that but there seems to be a pause. We have to re-energise that project.”
Growing concerns
Meanwhile, on the COVID-19 front, the Amerindian Affairs Minister said that she has heard the growing concerns coming out of hinterland Regions and understands that villages neednsupport to fight off the virus. Dire reports have recently been coming out of Region 9 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) of the many cases resulting from illegal border crossing from Brazil. The Minister has her eyes set, too, on Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni).
“We have to advise and provide guidelines in a fashion for the indigenous peoples to adhere to and to safeguard themselves from the COVID—19 pandemic. The President is strong on that. We have to rid ourselves of COVID so, I suppose that the Ministry will also be participating in that,” she said. Sukhai also plans to tackle livelihood issues, food security, flooding and financial support to revitalize agriculture in villages. She will also pursue funding for investment in business projects and possible opportunities for young people.
She stated: “It’s a matter of furthering the work that needs to be done. It’s not necessarily one of a personal nature but it’s about serving the Amerindian population, which is part and parcel of Guyana, and we have to ensure that they benefit from the country’s resources.”
