‘Get your books in order’ – Min. Allicock tells Bethany Village Council
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, April 11, 2019
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock has called on the Bethany Village Council in Pomeroon-Supenaam to ensure proper management and accountability for village assets in which millions of dollars were invested.
At a meeting with the village council on Thursday, Minister Allicock underscored the importance of the council’s financial books being updated on time and presented to the relevant persons.
Deputy Toshao, Banes Thomas and councillors are alleging that the Toshao of the village, Philbert Gudge has been working independently and making decisions on major projects without consulting them. They also said that he is partial when awarding contracts for village works. Also, they claim that the treasurer has not been updating his books correctly.
They had written the minister asking him to intervene.
“Accountability is crucial, and the Toshaos are aware of this… this is serious, you have to put your books order,” Minister Allicock warned.
He made it clear that the village council must be allowed to function; therefore, they must settle their differences bearing in mind that they were elected to serve the people and not their personal interests.
“Coming together is the beginning, working together is progress and staying together is success… You’re in a position to make things better in your community… what is it you want to leave as your legacy? Do you want the people to see you as the worst council or do you want to hear that yours was the best council?” he asked.
The minister stressed the need for the community to develop its Village Improvement Plan (VIP) which serve as a guide for village development over the next five years in keeping with the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS).
Legal Advisor to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, David James said that the village council must work within the confines of the Amerindian Act of 2006 which states that the council is a corporate body established to administer the village and must work as a collective body.
“This is one of the issues we have been facing with councils; the councils are not acting as a collective body… questions of anyone acting alone should not arise if we stick to the laws.”
Following to the meeting, Minister Allicock held an interactive session with the residents of the village who raised several concerns, the most common being the need for transportation to take the students to school; and the growing number of young people involved in illegal activities.
Minister Allicock promised to look into the matter of transportation for the students. An assurance was given by the minister to explore what can be done this year if not, it will be a priority for the 2020 National Budget. On the issue of the youth, he asked the enforcement officers to visit the area and conduct some educational sessions on the consequences of being involved in illegal activities.
This visit forms part of a series of outreaches being conducted by the government to listen to the people and address their issues and concerns, and ensure they are benefitting from government’s projects, programmes and policies.
Synieka Thorne.
Image: Leon Leung.