$10M for consultations to revise Amerindian Act

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has set aside $10 million to commence the consultation process leading up to the revision of the Amerindian Act No. 6 of 2006.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai said the fund will ensure the setting up of a committee, the modalities of the consultation, and the training of the facilitators who will be taking up the ardent task.

The minister was at the time speaking during the opening of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference on Monday, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

The Amerindian Act Act No. 6 of 2006 provides for the recognition and protection of the collective rights of Amerindians, the granting of land, and the promotion of good governance within their villages.

The Irfaan Ali-led government has made Guyana the front-runner in addressing the development, and unique needs of the indigenous people.

While advocates of Amerindian rights continue to call for a review of the act, Minister Sukhai said they fail to recognise the special regimes of rights which are already enshrined in the legislation.

Despite this, the administration’s position on the act is pellucid. Consultation on the revision of the 2006 legislation will be conducted in every Amerindian community.

“Including with other stakeholders, the revision will take into consideration the increased benefits and secure rights and will not consider the dilution of any such rights and must result in increased benefits and more secure rights for our people,” the minister pointed out.

The NTC, its leaders, along with other stakeholders will have to play an integral role in each phase of the revision process. [Extracted and modified from the Department of Public Information]