Greatest development ‘in every creek, river and valley’ under PPP – Rodrigues-Birkett

Celebrated Amerindian leader Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett on Saturday pledged that the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) would never abandon the country’s Amerindian communities, promising continued investment in their development ahead of Monday’s general and regional elections.

Rodrigues-Birkett, who was born in the Amerindian village of Santa Rosa and served as Minister of Amerindian Affairs from 2001 to 2008 before becoming the country’s first female Foreign Affairs Minister, told supporters that Indigenous communities have seen the “greatest development ever” under the PPP/C.

She said that this has been the case on every hill, and in every creek, river or valley.

“Let me be clear – the PPP has never, and will never, abandon our Amerindian communities on the development road or any other road,” she said.

Rodrigues-Birkett now serves as Guyana’s ambassador at its Permanent Mission at the United Nations.

She recalled criticisms of Indigenous people as being “greedy” by the  opposition, and accused rival political parties of misleading residents about cash grants.

“This is why we condemn any action by anyone or any party who will stand in the way of Amerindian development and who will disrespect Amerindians,” she said.

Indigenous people, who make up about 10% of Guyana’s population, are seen as an important voting bloc in the September 1 election.