Georgetown: The Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, believes that unity of purpose between the Ministry and the Regional Democratic Councils of Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine is essential in bringing better services to hinterland residents. In this regard, he has pledged to work with leaders in all Indigenous villages, communities and regions, in bringing development.
Addressing a leadership forum at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre (ACICC) on July 31, which saw representation from the RDCs of Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, Minister Allicock noted that “Unity is the prescription for success.” He said that “it is the only way to heal this nation and secure a better life for all Guyanese.”
In his presentation, the Minister noted that following the May 11, General and Regional Elections, as per the will of the people, Regions One and Nine are now managed by RDCs, headed by the opposition Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPPC); while the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affair is headed by Ministers of the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition Government
“This is not an opportunity to fight each other for cheap political points. It is, instead, a golden opportunity for us to demonstrate to the nation that, notwithstanding our known political positions, we can and will work together in the best interest of our people,” Minister Allicock told the RDC councillors.
The Chairman of Region Nine is Mr. Brian Allicock, Minister Allicock’s younger brother. Though the brothers share different political views, they have pledged, not just to each other, but to the people of Region Nine, to remove the political fence which separates them, Minister Allicock noted. The brothers have pledged to building bridges and forging partnerships that will bring development to the Region, Minister Allicock said.
“This is the way it must be…any other way guarantees certain failure, and so it must be with all of the other Regions across Guyana,” he said.
According to the Minister, “We must see ourselves not as agents of a particular political entity; rather, we must hold ourselves out as one government, working together to realise the Guyana that we want to bequeath to our successors for generations to come…Let us discuss how we share the load of delivering the desirable goods and services to the people in the villages where they live. Let us monitor and include the villagers in the monitoring of projects in their spaces. Let us be fair and sincere in our criticism and representations in this regard,” he said.
The Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister challenged the councillors to improve the capacity of residents in every village, to the level where any resident can rise successfully to the level of Toshao, not simply as a holder of office, but as a successful manager of the affairs of his or her Village.
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