The Amerindian community of Kariako, in Region One, recently received the title to 51, 641 acres of its land.
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai presented the document to Toshao Lewis Samuels last weekend, granting “abso-lute ownership” to the village.
According to a Govern-ment Information Agency (GINA) press release, in 2013 the government signed a US$10.7M agreement for the implementation of land titling and demarcation project under the GRIF. GINA added that a total of 45 villages are expected to receive titles by the end of 2016.
Currently four communities are being demarcated, the release said, with 20 more scheduled to start soon and the final 20 to be completed by 2016.
The presentation ceremony occurred during the weekend of January 31, 2015. Sukhai told those gathered, “…Having land title is not the end of the road; residents will now have to make a commitment in the utilisation of the land.”
It is hoped, Sukhai said, the possession of the title will now provide for the community to better manage, protect and improve its chances of economic activity expansion. Further, Sukhai told the residents, they are expected to learn to resolve issues presented to them in keeping with the laws provided for under the Amerindian Act in relation to community governance.
