Overcrowding of residence for indigenous peoples being addressed –Allicock

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock has said that contrary to reports circulating on social media, the ministry is working “assiduously” to address overcrowding at the Indigenous Residence located at Princes Street, Georgetown.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Allicock said that the Indigenous Residence (Amerindian Hostel) was not designed to house the number of persons it has been hosting over the past few years.

Recognising this, he said that the government in its 2018 budget allocated the sum of $20M to renovate and extend the facility. This will cater for four additional modern rooms which will specifically cater for Toshaos who often travel to Georgetown for Village Council business.

Additionally, he said that the rooms, for both male and female residents, will be renovated with modern amenities that cater to those seeking medical attention, as well as their relatives.

In the interim, he said that the western half of the building was extended to accommodate the cafeteria. There were also minor upgrades to the rooms, the maternity unit, and recreational facility.

DPI said that in 2017, the Indigenous Residence provided accommodation, transportation, and meals for 2,153 persons. A bus was also handed over to the residence.