The Alliance For Change (AFC) supports initiatives aimed at improving living conditions of our Amerindian people and appreciates the need for resources to be channeled towards the development of Amerindian communities.

The 2014 Budget Estimates includes G$1.1 Billion for the Amerindian Development Fund to provide for the following vaguely named areas: Secure Livelihood and Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship programmes; Construction of village offices and multipurpose buildings; Purchase of sports gear, musical instruments, drip irrigation systems, tractors and implements; Support to other projects and programmes including eco-tourism.

What is blatantly lacking is how the programme would create skills, jobs and sustainable livelihoods for our Amerindian and interior youth.

The AFC had proposed to the government that the sum sought could be reduced initially $200 million to give the government time to come up with specifics after wide consultations on the ground with the various communities.  However the PPP/C refused to have any negotiations with the AFC or APNU with resulted in the non approval of the fund.

The AFC believes a training institution such as the GTI, located in the hinterland could have been constructed and staffed providing on going training opportunities for the youth of these areas

• The AFC believes the Amerindian Development Fund projects ought to be placed within the formal LCDS framework to be funded from the GRIF following independent assessment and subject to safeguards.
• The AFC believes that the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship programme is nothing more than a political tool aimed at exploiting poverty, creating dependency and extending the machinery of the ruling party for electioneering purposes.
• The AFC would like to see a report on how last year’s funds were allocated.

The AFC also wishes to make it clear that in the absence of funding for the Amerindian Development Fund in this year’s Appropriations Act, the Minister of Finance may seek passage of supplementary appropriations bills to fund individual projects that are supported by the National Assembly. [END]

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