See the full statement from the Ministry of finance below:
As Government continues to demonstrate its commitment to the development of indigenous communities and improving the lives of Amerindians countrywide, Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh on behalf of His Excellency President Irfaan Ali yesterday handed over 1,215 tablets to Toshaos to be distributed in their villages upon their return there. The tablets are to be used to access the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) programmes. The National Toshaos Council (NTC)conference, which commenced on Monday last and which saw over 200 Toshaos from Indigenous villages across the country gathered at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) to discuss development programmes for their villages with Government, concluded yesterday while Amerindian Heritage Month kicked off with a cultural Extravaganza at the National Park last evening.
During the handover of the tablets to the Village Leaders, Dr. Singh encouraged the Toshaos to ensure that the tablets are used to access the GOAL programmes so that more persons from the hinterland can benefit from the training provided and therefore, participate meaningfully in the transformation of the country that is currently underway.
Minister Singh situated this latest initiative within the Government’s broader agenda for improving the lives of the country’s hinterland population, including investments Government is making in expanding hinterland transport infrastructure such as roads and bridges, investments being made in hinterland electrification including the purchase of 30,000 standalone household solar units, hinterland water wells and water supply systems, educational facilities such as new schools and dormitories, and public healthcare facilities including for the deployment of telemedicine.
Government also pledged its continued support to indigenous communities and yesterday as well 100 cheques were handed over to 100 of the villages to offset upgrades to community grounds in the villages as was announced by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo while President Irfaan Ali has also announced that in Budget 2024 billions of dollars will be allocated for further development of indigenous communities following full consultation with the Chairman of the NTC.
