Development Officers being equipped to better serve Indigenous villages

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock handing over an ATV to Community Development Officer (CDO), Shurland Davis (left).  (DPI photo)
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock handing over an ATV to Community Development Officer (CDO), Shurland Davis (left). (DPI photo)

Community Development Officers (CDOs), serving the South Pakaraimas and the North Rupununi were the recent beneficiaries of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) that will assist them in better serving communities in Region Nine, the Department of Public Information (DPI) said.

Ellis Brasche (North Rupununi) and Shurland Davis (South Pakaraimas) received one ATV each from Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock, during a recent ministerial outreach in Region Nine.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock (left) handing over an ATV to Community Development Officer (CDO) Ellis Brasche.  (DPI photo)

Allicock explained that the intention is to ensure that the officers are in constant contact with the people, thereby reducing the number of complaints and concerns when officials visit the communities.

While noting that the CDO’s have a critical role to play in ensuring basic services are provided to the Indigenous peoples across the country, Allicock said, “Some of the issues that are raised during outreaches can be dealt with at the local level. The CDO’s have to work, they were put there to serve the people. They are there to make representations on the people’s behalf and ensure that some of these issues are addressed.”

CDOs are deployed in the various sub-regions of Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, to monitor all village activities and projects.