NTC should be more involved in community development – Allicock

The recently elected executive of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) has awakened many questions as to what is in store for the indigenous people, and as such, the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister has expressed that he would like to see more development in the hinterland communities.

Speaking with media operatives on Monday, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock noted that he is expecting a greater relationship between the ministry and the council, so as to ensure that their plans for the next three years are materialised successfully.
“My expectation is that the relationship would be strengthened, so that we could achieve the plans for the NTC. I expect a more business-like approach towards community development, and for the NTC to focus on the development of the communities, helping the communities to be able to achieve their goals,” Minister Allicock said.
He further stated that while a lot of funds has been injected into the hinterland communities, there had been a lack of involvement from the previous council. As such, there is an expectation that better collaboration can be shown on the part of the new executive body.
“We have invested a lot of funding, including (in) equipment, for indigenous communities’ development, and it (the outcome) is not what we have expected — The outcome and the output — and it is because of the lack of more involvement of the NTC to help their communities understand the aim and the drive behind investing in those communities,” the minister explained.
The Ministry is now reportedly working towards crafting initiatives that can foster development in hinterland regions while at the same time allowing those regions to remain independent. This new team, the minister says, has showcased a willingness to make this progression.
“We have embarked upon an economic drive in communities, because we’re moving away from the dependency syndrome; and I find that, from my observation, we have a team that is pro-development. I’m expecting that we would have a better outcome for these next three years,” he said.
The new executive body was elected last week during the NTC conference. Toshao Nicholas Fredericks of Shulinab was elected Chairman, while Toshao Paul Pierre of Kwebanna was voted as the Vice Chairman. Toshao Russian Dorrick of Yupukari was elected Secretary.
The newly elected head contested for the post unopposed, and received unanimous support from the toshaos. The new executive comprises 20 persons from all the Amerindian villages.
During his inaugural address, Fredericks called upon his team to work together to address the needs of, and make representation on behalf of, Guyana’s first peoples.