Govt has no intention to hinder Indigenous Peoples

– Norton dismisses Opposition criticisms of govt’s treatment of Indigenous Peoples

– discrimination not tolerated

– blue print and implementation strategy are guiding social cohesion efforts in Guyana

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton has made it clear that the Coalition Government has no intention to hinder the Indigenous Peoples in any aspect, noting their contribution to Guyana’s development.

The minister today responded to Opposition Member of Parliament, Yvonne Pearson’s criticisms of the administration’s alleged inequitable treatment of Indigenous Peoples. She was making a presentation on day one of the debate of the 2019 National Budget in the National Assembly.

Referencing another statement by MP Pearson, Dr. Norton said “to make such a statement and coming from a politician, about the administration discriminating against an eight-year-old boy, only because he was Indigenous is totally unacceptable.”

Minister Norton stated that discrimination in all forms, is not tolerated nor is it a policy of the Coalition Government.

“It is not something that the Ministry of Social Cohesion would entertain, they would never accept that.”

Further, the minister said his department, which falls under the Ministry of the Presidency, with the assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) created a blueprint and implementation strategy which are helping to foster social cohesion across the country.

Mention was made of the annual Inter-village Social Cohesion Exchange Programme which aims at creating unified communities by educating young people on the importance of social cohesion in nation building and the role they can play, individually or as groups, to develop their communities.

In August, youths from Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two) benefitted from the initiative which is in its second year.

Stacy Carmichael

Image: Department of Public Information