Amerindian Heritage Month opened on Tuesday evening with a word of caution from President Irfaan Ali to the country’s Amerindian population.

In his address at the ceremonial launch of Amerindian Heritage Month, the President said indigenous peoples of the country must be careful of those who appear during crisis only to exploit, in pursuit of their own personal and political interests, and others, who seek to sow division.

Decked out in an Amerindian head dress, the President Ali dedicated a big part of his speech highlighting Government’s investment in Indigenous communities, but repeatedly warned against those persons he believes may be seeking to exploit issues confronting Indigenous people for personal gains.

“Be careful of some who claim to speak on your behalf, but whose true interests may lie elsewhere. Be wary of those who come among you seeking to sow division, distrust and disaffection. Who seek to turn legitimate concerns into grievances and grievances into political instruments for their own purposes. I call them wolves. There will always be those who seek to use the legitimate aspirations of our indigenous peoples for their own selfish ends. They may speak the language of empowerment, justice, and representation but ask yourselves, whose interests are they really advancing?” President Ali said.

Taking a swipe at his political opponents, the President said Indigenous people must be aware of false prophets, and those who appear in sheep’s clothing.

“I say to you, our indigenous brothers and sisters, be careful about those who suddenly appear among you when there is a crisis – arriving in fast boats, bearing hampers and expressions of sympathy, presenting themselves as champions of your interests. Be especially careful when people seek to turn your legitimate concerns into a vehicle for their own political or personal survival. Do not allow your grievances and aspirations to become somebody else’s escape route for their own legal troubles. Do not allow your concerns to be used as a ticket to avoid jail,” the President urged.

Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed recently used one of his own fast boats to visit a number of Amerindian communities in Region One. The boat was detained just after arriving back in Georgetown, and the Maritime Authority has since stated that it was unlicensed at the time.

Acknowledging that Guyanese are “hurt” as a result of a “great tragedy,” the President assured that his Government will continue to stand with the people throughout every season.

“When all is said and done, it is the PPPC administration that will always remain at your side. It is this administration that has stood with you, not only when it is politically convenient, but in times of crisis. It is the PPP government that stands with you through the long journey of development. Walking with you through the difficult days, building with you through the better days and working with you to secure a brighter tomorrow for generations yet to come, it is the PPP/C that will say to you, the work is not done,” the President said.

President Ali said the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has a proven track record with investments in Education, Healthcare, Housing and Water, Agriculture, Energy and ICT among other areas.

He said over the last five years, the PPP/C Administration invested more than $41.7 billion in Amerindian villages with $21.7 billion injected into the Amerindian Development Fund.

In agriculture sector, the Government, he said invested more than $1 billion, resulting in almost 300 tractors being distributed across the villages to complement the hundreds of boats, outboard engines, minibuses, pickups, ATVs, trucks, and canters already provided.

Additionally, $127 million was used to support cultural empowerment, tourism and heritage while $11 billion was injected in the Energy Sector to directly support indigenous villages.

“Hydropower, solar farms, household solar. We have made those investments so that your children can become trained teachers right in their villages and thousands of your children are now becoming trained teachers in your villages,” he said.

While US$19.6 million has been invested in ICT, the President said he was dissatisfied with the country’s communication giants not expanding enough into the indigenous communities. He said more investments are needed in the hinterland to bridge the digital and communication divide.

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