ERC engages regional authorities in sensitisation outreach
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) last Thursday rolled out its outreach programme in Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), as part of their efforts to engage with stakeholders across the country and sensitise them on its their work and receive suggestions and feedback.
During this first engagement, the commission held open discussions with the Regional Chairman, Deron Adams and Councillors, as well as the Mayor Sharma Solomon and team of Linden.
ERC Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack with some of the ERC Commissioners and CEO handing over ERC informational items to the Regional Chairman of Region, Ten Deron Adams and some of his Councillors
Regional Chairman Adams shared concerns of alleged discrimination within the public assistance programme, land acquisition and business development, according to a social media post.
An open town hall meeting was also held at the Watooka Lodge, where residents expressed their satisfaction with the Commission’s visit and actively participated by sharing their concerns and suggestions.
The commission held similar meetings with the Anna Regina Municipality and the RDC of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) as well as an open community meeting at the Cotton Field Secondary School on Saturday.
The team will continue their engagements countrywide as they are scheduled to conduct outreaches in all regions.
Since being reconstituted this year, the new 10-member Commission has signed the Code of Conduct for the recent Local Government Elections, established an ERC public library space on its compound, revitalised the Investigative Unit and Media Monitoring Unit, engaged with all constituency stakeholder organisations, and held a number of back-to-school campaigns to engage students on their roles and functions.
Under Article 212D of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, the ERC has 24 functions.
One of these is a mandate to investigate complaints from citizens across the country where acts of alleged ethnic discrimination have been committed, while another is a mandate to enforce the Racial Hostility Act and the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act.
The ERC as constitutional agency, in budget 2023, was allocated $137.3 million to carry out these functions accordingly.
