Toshaos council decries attack on executive
The National Toshaos Council (NTC) has expressed dismay and disappointment at what it has dubbed a “vile and visceral attack” on its executive, including Vice Chairman Lenox Shuman, in a release attributed to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs and published by the Department of Public Information (DPI).
In a press release issued yesterday, the NTC said it rejected “outright, the many falsehoods” published by the DPI. The ministry’s release was in response to Stabroek News reports published on April 8th and April 9th, in which NTC officials, including Shuman, voiced concern over government’s posture on Amerindian land rights as well as the NTC’s efforts to assert its independence.
Expressing shock that such a statement would come from the ministry that purports to represent indigenous peoples, the NTC said it was “uncertain if this is actually the true position of the Ministry or if it is that of a rogue officer/s with axes to grind with the NTC and more specifically the Vice Chairman.”
The NTC said there appeared to have been a complete breach of protocol by officers working at the ministry, who seem to have the distinct intentions to discredit the NTC, and to open the ministers to mass public attacks.
The attacks on Shuman, toshao of Pakuri Village, were not new, the NTC said, while adding that they appear to reflect “an obsession” that some of the ministry’s staff, including one working out of the Ministry of the Presidency, seem to have with him.
The NTC said that Shuman was investigated in 2017, based on complaints, and no evidence of wrongdoing was found. That investigative team was led by legal advisor to the Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs David James and included NTC chairman toshao Joel Fredericks, and Rickford Profit of the Region Four Regional Development Council.
The NTC further charged that the DPIissued statement was also bent on misleading the public on its accountability by contending that the current NTC executive has not been providing statements on the subvention it receives from government since it took office.
It pointed out that the Amerindian Act states that the NTC shall publish an annual report of its activities and annual accounts and “provide a copy to the Minister and each Village,” and noted that this provision “has consistently and continuously been satisfied.” A financial report is presented at the NTC conference every year and to the ministry and one will again be presented at the 2018 NTC Conference, the NTC said.
The NTC added that it enjoys “a very healthy and collaborative relationship” with Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe, “who also enjoy the respect and support of the NTC.”
It further said it was optimistic that those who issued the statement in response to the published articles “will be taken to task for their irresponsible actions and remarks.”
The NTC also said it was still awaiting a meeting that President David Granger had committed to having with it before mid-March to address the issues raised.