Dear Editor,
Orealla/Siparuta Amerindian District (OSAD) could have and can be the model of Amerindian communities in Guyana; be self-reliant with a strong economic and financial base through sustainable development projects, exploiting its (OSAD) many natural resources, i.e. timber, fertile agri lands, savannahs, bauxite, and white sand (white gold). OSAD is situated 55 miles up the left bank of the Corentyne River from Mapena Creek to Potoco Creek, and was surveyed and demarcated by Guyana Lands and Service Commission (GLSC) in 1989, covering an area of 269 square miles. (Official land title issued on September 22, 2005-President B. Jagdeo). In 1991/1992, President Desmond Hoyte (deceas-ed) invited the Orealla/Siparuta Village Council (OSVC) to prepare, present and discuss a development plan for the OSAD at the Office of the President in Georgetown on a fixed date. The OSVC prepared the development plan (several projects included) and at a discussion categorically emphasized the following:
I. All or any development plans for OSAD to be successful, depends solely on reliable river transportation service.
II. With the river service, the agri production will increase tenfold; commercial, poultry and livestock rearing will be a reality; and OSAD (first time) will be independently exploiting white sand for sale at Springlands/Corriverton, making a sizable income which will be injected into other projects.
III. The OSVC further committed to supply all materials needed and build a boat 65x15x7, but will need financial assistance to purchase an engine for the boat (the lifeline for OSAD development).
President Hoyte was highly impressed with the plan put together and later invited the OSVC to select an engine for the boat, and send the quotation to the Office of the President. Now the OSVC selected a 130 H.P Lister Petter engine including shaft, propeller, fuel tank, steering wheel, remote cables, etc. The engine was bought shortly before President Hoyte demitted office in 1992. In early 1993, a new OSVC was elected, also a new Minister of Amerindian Affairs (MOAA), Mr. Vibert De Souza (deceased) was appointed. The latter reviewed the OSAD development plan and deemed it “a PNC plan”, and with no resistance from a spineless OSVC, built a much smaller boat incapable of delivering the intended services. The OSAD development plan never materialized due to this. To date OSAD is without a reliable river service.
The OSAD is well recognized for its logging operation for over 70 years and the major supplier of logs to all sawmills in Crabwood Creek, Springlands on the Corentyne. This is the only area where white sand can be exploited economically and commercially whereas Suriname exploit their sand from the sand banks in the Corentyne River. The OSVC in 1985-1992 had foreseen the transformation from large wooden buildings to massive concrete structures, increasing the demand for white sand; all concrete structures from Crabwood Creek to Rose Hall Town Corentyne built or being built, used or are using white sand from O/SAD.
I saw on the newscast on January 29th, 2021, the minister of Amerindian Affairs, doled out 105 million to several Amer-indian communities, OSAD a recipient of 30 million dollars. Instructions were given to the Toshao of OSAD to utilize this 30 million to upgrade the ICT network and infrastructure within the district. I hope there’s a documented project plan with instructions demanding oversight and accountability of this fund. The minister is now serving a third term as MoAA (maybe a record), and is expected to be actively assisting in planning, implementing and overseeing sustainable projects in Amerindian communities involving state funds and not to be seen as doling out funds haphazardly.
In 2019, APNU/AFC spent 136 million to “widen” an existing four mile trail in Orealla- Siparuta, under pretext of “promoting tourism”. This 136 million could have purchased a Bedford truck, a Cater-pillar loader, and a boat and engine, while promoting other projects for the district’s development. With 30 million dollars, will the OSVC reconsider building a 65x15x7 boat with a diesel engine? Exploit “white gold”? Promote agri farming? Commercial poultry and livestock raring? Be self-reliant through sustainable projects? Build a strong economic and financial base? Be the model for Amerindian communities?
Sincerely,
Gerald Mc Intyre
Former Village Councillor/
Secretary- OSVC
