The Guyana government Tuesday said that it will “always respect the views of our Indigenous peoples” as it disagreed with statements made by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lennox Shuman, that the Irfaan Ali administration was not consulting with indigenous leaders.
“I must share my profound disappointment at the position taken by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly,,” Prime Minister retired Brigadier Mark Phillips said in a statement, saying that in his letter published in the local media that Shuman, who is also the leader of the he Liberty and Justice Party, “departs from facts to unfairly and erroneously suggest” that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government “is not open to dialogue with regard to the development of the Indigenous peoples of Guyana”.
Shuman’s latest criticism of the government stems from an agreement that it signed with a Canadian-based gold company for prospecting work to be done in Murudi, in the deep South Rupununi region.
Residents and Community leaders have complained about not being consulted about the project and being left out completely in the decision-making.
In a statement, Shuman criticised the government for not facilitating any meaningful dialogue with Indigenous Peoples on the Marudi Mountain gold mining agreement.
He wants the agreement revoked and for discussions to be held with the villagers and community leaders.
“It is my informed view that the Government of Guyana under the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) has zero inclination to meaningfully consult the Indigenous Peoples on any matter. It is also my informed view that they intend to throw money at the problems the Indigenous Peoples face instead of genuinely trying to find comprehensive solutions to address them. By addressing the issues comprehensively, it empowers Indigenous Peoples which poses a problem to the PPP and that is far removed from the MO and intent of the PPP,” Shuman said.
But Phillips said that “not only is this position inconsistent with the well-established track record of the PPP/C when it comes to Amerindian development throughout its tenure in office, but it runs counter to the goodwill and good faith he and I shared in our most recent engagement”.
Phillips recalled that on October 25, he and Shuman “cordially discussed several matters related to indigenous peoples’ development and the Government’s approach to bridging the digital divide and eliminating the disparity in quality of life between our hinterland and coastland.
“In his own words, after that interaction, Mr. Shuman publicly declared on Facebook: “The Prime Minister iterated his government’s commitment to taking steps to ensure Indigenous Peoples are part of the development of Guyana under the One Guyana framework and that the infrastructural needs are critical to such future plans along with ICT access among others. He was also very receptive to ideas put forth on advancing initiatives that will enhance IP’s [Indigenous Peoples] presence and participation in Guyana”.
“It is now an enigma that only a few weeks later, Mr. Shuman has taken a position in absolute contrast and contradiction to the facts when even in his published letter to the editor, he admits to being consulted on numerous occasions and his suggestions considered”.
Phillips said that “our Indigenous brothers and sisters form a significant part of our country’s history and will most certainly be a part of its future and development through a considerate and consultative mechanism, as has been consistently demonstrated by successive PPP/C Governments.
“The PPP/C Government will always respect the views of our Indigenous peoples,” he added.
Shuman, who is also an Aviation Advisor to the government recently claimed that his job as Aviation Advisor was under threat because of his criticisms of the government.
Source – Cananewsonline
