By KNEWS

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Govt. to further advance Amerindian land titling programme

Sep 10, 2025
News

– Prime Minister tells Indigenous people

Kaieteur News – Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Monday told the Indigenous people that the PPP/C Government will further advance the Amerindian Land Titling and Demarcation programme.

The Prime Minister was at the time speaking at the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month of activities which was held at the National Park. Amerindian Heritage Month is being held under the theme: ‘Igniting Unity, Celebrating Progress, Advancing our Culture’

In his remarks, he told those gathered that heritage is the living, breathing force that continues to shape the present and most importantly the country’s shared future.

“Therefore, as we celebrate this rich heritage, and its legacy we must also look forward with a collective commitment to building a future of unprecedented opportunity, prosperity and self-determination for our Indigenous people and their communities across our ten administrative regions,” he stated.

To this end, the Prime Minister said the Government is not just making promises, but they are executing a comprehensive and actionable plan forged in partnership to ensure that the development of the nation leaves no one behind.

“Our vision is one where every village is empowered, every voice is heard and every community thrives. Our Indigenous people are our ancestral custodians of Guyana’s vast and prestige forest. For generation you have lived in profound harmony with this environment, employing traditional knowledge and sustainable practices that have been fundamental to the preservation to this global asset. Your stewardship of our environment is and must remain a continuing reality, making you the primary guardians of the very ecosystem that are now crucial in the global fight against climate change,” he related.

Assuring the Indigenous brothers and sisters that going forward they will receive no less than 15% of all carbon credit revenues, he noted it is a commitment that ensures that their communities are directly invested in and rewarded for their unparalleled contribution to protecting the world’s lungs.

A cornerstone of this vision, he noted however, is the right to lands. “We recognise that the land is not just a resource, it is life, it is history and it is identity. Therefore, our government pledges to further advance the Amerindian Land Titling and Demarcation programme. We have done more than any other government before us in this regard and we will continue this process in the next five years,” he mentioned.

According to the Prime Minister, land titling and demarcation are both legal and moral imperatives and that government will accelerate the process to resolve pending claims, ensuring security of tenure and empowering communities with this fundamental asset upon which to build their economic and cultural futures. Noting that securing the land itself is only one part of the equation and that it must be protected and governed by laws that fit for purpose.

“This is why our commitment extends to the very legislation that defines these rights. As such we will also work with you, our Indigenous brothers and sisters to undertake a comprehensive revision of the Amerindian Act. This collaborative process will ensure that this foundational legislation is modernised to reflect contemporary realities, strengthen self-governance and fully aligns with our commitment to recognising land rights, while promoting economic development and preserving the cultural heritage of you, our first citizens, for generations to come,” he stated.

The Prime Minister added that a revised Amerindian Act must ensure improved mechanism for the protection and empowerment of Indigenous communities, and it must guarantee that a right to self-determination, cultural preservation and economic prosperity are not only recognised but actively upheld and enforced.

During his remarks also, he mentioned the Government’s plans to expand the Community Support Officer (CSO) programme, noting that officers will be retrained, upskilled, and provided with increased stipends. Turning his attention to economic development, the Prime Minister revealed that the Government will continue to support community-led initiatives in agriculture, agro-processing, and sustainable tourism.

“We will ensure communities have the tools and opportunities to process their own crops, add value, and create products that can be sold both locally and internationally,” he disclosed. Further, he noted that tourism being a driver of employment and economic resilience. He related that communities will be supported in developing products that reflect their natural and cultural heritage, from traditional crafts and cuisine to wildlife tours and immersive cultural experiences.

Amerindian, land titling, Mark Phillips, programme