Chairman of the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC), Joel Fredericks has criticised a government minister for calling indigenous people “greedy” in a recent sitting of the National Assembly.
While not mentioning the name of the official, Fredericks described it as an “attack on indigenous people identity.”
During a sitting of the National Assembly in June, Minister within the Labour Department, Keith Scott reportedly said that the Amerindians are greedy because they requested security in the lands they have held since time immemorial and that sovereignty now belongs to the State, governed by the coalition A Partnership for National Unity, Alliance For Change Government (APNU+AFC).
Delivering his remarks at the opening of the National Toshaos’ Conference on Monday at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), Turkeyen, the NTC Chairman also condemned the fact that no Parliamentarian – Government or Opposition – protested the alleged remarks made by Scott.
The conference is being attended by President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Attorney General Basil Williams and other officials of the government.
The NTC Chairman also criticised the inclusion of Amerindian villages in establishment of townships without consultation with Amerindian leaders. In fact, he condemned the general posture of the government to exclude the Amerindian people from consultations in decision making, which he noted goes against Article 19 of the UN Declaration.
Fredericks also lambasted the non-adherence to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), by officials of the government. Just a few days ago, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure launched the CORE project in Aishalton without consulting with the Toshao.
