North Pakaraimas District Council to be gazetted
─ Min. Allicock committed to advancing process
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, April 4, 2019
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock has committed to advancing the process that will see the North Pakaraimas District Council (NPDC) being gazetted as a legal body to represent the Indigenous peoples of the Pataro-Siparuni, Region 8.
The minister gave this assurance while attending the North Pakaraimas District Council (NPDC) land summit held in Monkey Mountain from April 1 to 3.
“This request has to go through a process… I am committing to having it done,” the minister told the Toshaos and councillors who participated in the summit.
The NPDC comprise representatives from villages including Monkey Mountain, Paramatakoi, Tuseneng, Kanapang, Itabac, Kamana, Waipa, Kaibarupai, Kurukabaru, Kato, Kopinang, Chenapou and Karisparu.
Secretary of the NPDC, SherryAnn Balkaran said that the council has been doing a lot of work in the region, especially in the area of land management. She added that the council has been partnering with overseas-based persons to train young people in videography and photography to promote and showcase the culture and tradition of the Indigenous peoples, and the beauty of their respective villages.
According to the Amerindian Act of 2006, the minister may, by order establish a District Council, if at least three Village Councils, make such a request in writing to the minister. Each Village Council has obtained the approval of its Village general meeting. A District Council comprises the Toshao and one Councillor from each Village in the District and may elect a Chairman, a secretary and a treasurer.
The functions of a District Council are; to coordinate the activities of the Village Councils in the District; to work for consistency in the rules made by the Village Councils as far as is reasonable; to give advice to the Village Councils and Villages on issues of common interest; to plan and develop programmes for the District on environmental protection and management, health care, education, transportation, culture, and economic development; and to provide technical advice and assistance to the constituent Village.
Synieka Thorne.
Images: Tejpaul Bridgemohan.