Budget Debate: Successes in Indigenous development highlighted by PPP/C MPs

– more projects funded by Govt; reinstatement, expansion of CSOs
– more Indigenous investment; land-titling

Members of Parliament (MPs) Pauline Sukhai and Alister Charlie have lauded the achievements of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government in advancing Indigenous development and national progress.
During the budget debates on Tuesday, Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai highlighted that between 2020 and 2024, the Government funded 1,140 projects under the Presidential Grant Programme, surpassing the 857 projects executed under the APNU+AFC Administration during its five-year tenure.
Additionally, she said, that Ministry’s capital budget over this period supported 523 projects totalling $9.37 billion — more than doubling the 218 projects undertaken by the coalition government.
Further, she detailed, a key highlight has been the reinstatement and expansion of the Community Service Officers (CSOs) programme, which had previously been discontinued under the APNU+AFC Administration.
Detailing that, over the past four years, $411 million had been invested in Amerindian youths, equipping them with essential skills and employment opportunities, Minister Sukhai declared, “Mr. Speaker, when we came back into office in August of 2020, our manifesto made a promise that we will reinstate this program. And we did reinstate it, and we put back into the pockets of young Amerindians more than $3.5 billion in stipend. We also was able, because we came back, to begin to execute and implement the other component of the program, which was training component. And we spent more than $1.4 billion: $114 million to train young CSOs….
“Mr. Speaker, the Budget is fundamentally strong on transitioning and modernising Guyana. It presents policies for stimulating investment opportunities and allocating financial resources for expansion in every sector. And yes, to further address and improve the lives of every category of our population, Mr. Speaker, only under the People’s Progressive Party Government the love for people will be this profound. Guyana’s children will face a sustainable and bright future as the People’s Progressive Party Civic Government continues to invest in their future,” Sukhai said.
Further, Minister Sukhai underscored the Government’s commitment to securing land tenure for Amerindian communities by stating that, over the past four years, more than 20 land titles have been granted, ensuring that Indigenous communities have legal ownership of their ancestral lands.
In contrast, she told the House, the previous administration’s record on land titling has been underwhelming, with only two certificates of title having been granted — to Karasabai in Region Nine and to Arrau in Region Seven.
“I am pleased to announce that, from 2013 to 2015, a number of villages were titled, and demarcation started. In 2015 to 2020, the APNU spent $2.289 billion to address land-titling, and Mr. Speaker, everyone knows the media reporting on the then Vice-President who concluded that he was unable to title any lands for Amerindian for three years. Mr. Speaker, in 2020 to 2024, we spent $4.6 billion”, she declared.
“We work tirelessly for the people, and, of course, we have made significant strides. We still have, it is a work in progress, and we still have villages who are anxious with us, who are anxious to get their titling out,” the Minister added.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament (MP) Alister Charlie added that education within hinterland communities has also been transformed drastically. He highlighted that seventeen schools have already been completed in various areas, ensuring better learning environments for children.
“Guyana has seen the PPPC government has been able to achieve. The way the committed investments have transformed communities and connected regions by raising lives, jobs for our young people, better schools for our children, better healthcare for families throughout every corner of Guyana, the budget continues the work of taking hope and opportunity to those that once thought of themselves as forgotten. And let us not forget, Mr. Speaker, hinterland and Amerindian communities, as these investments in hinterland villages breathe new life into our communities. These are momentous policies, the bridges, schools, wells and programs that give our people the life they deserve right where they live. This is what leadership feels like,” Charlie said.