St. Cuthbert’s residents will decide on name change – Min. Allicock

– “this is a very sensitive issue…we will take guidance from the people; we have already given them the opportunity to make a decision”

– residents voted on the matter, ministry still awaiting results

DPI Guyana, Monday, July 23, 2018

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock said that the residents of St. Cuthbert’s Mission, the lone Indigenous settlement in Region Four will decide on the name change that was proposed for the community.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) today, Minister Allicock said that “this is a very sensitive issue…we will take guidance from the people; we have already given them the opportunity to make a decision.”

At a meeting held at St. Cuthbert’s on June 3, to confirm the renaming of St. Cuthbert’s village to ‘Pakuri’, the majority of the residents indicated that they were not in favour of the name change. The meeting was attended by Minister Allicock, Legal Advisor David James, Advisor on Land and Development, Doorga Persaud.

During the deliberations, the decision was made for a vote to be taken; however, it was brought to the attention of the gathering that a number of residents were not present.  In this regard, another meeting was scheduled for July 15, where the resident will vote on the matter.

Minister Allicock said that the ministry is currently awaiting the results from the last meeting.  He reiterated that ‘the people’s decision is final.’

By: Synieka Thorne