Government contemplates increasing CSOs in Amerindian villages

THE GOVERNMENT IS CONTEMPLATING INCREASING THE NUMBERS OF
COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICERS (CSOS) IN AMERINDIAN VILLAGES to help fast
track their development according to Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai.

“There are many other villages that are asking for additional CSOs beyond the limit or beyond
the number in which we have asked them to submit. And that’s something we are considering to
pursue in the new year, 2022 budget proposals,” Minister Sukhai said.
She said $720M is being to train indigenous youths in the Information and Communications
Technology (ICT) sector, solar panel installation and maintenance and driving.

According to her, 75 Amerindian youths have been trained in computer literacy and will return
to their respective villages, to help manage and support the ICT projects that are presently being
executed by the Office of the Prime Minister.
“Currently we have over 164 students in Georgetown; 80 to be trained as drivers who would be
licensed and also another 80 who would be trained in installation of solar panels and its
maintenance,” she disclosed.
She spoke of ongoing training programmes targeting Amerindian youths “because we have to
complete our target as we agreed and got approval for through the budget.”
She said the Government plans training over 600 persons in hinterland and riverine communities,
in ICT, solar panel installation and maintenance and driving. The minister noted they are
targeting 220 students to be ICT competent; 200 to be drivers, and 200 to be trained as solar
panel technicians. She said 137 of the 220 Amerindian villages will receive tractors, to boost
their agriculture production.
“That is a significant investment. It will not only be confined to use for agriculture but it will
assist many villages in transporting goods in and out of the village. It will help also, the

transportation needs of the village and for those villages across the hinterland who are part and
parcel of the forestry sector, the tractor will become very important,” said Sukhai.
Trailers, chippers and ploughs will also complement the tractors.
The revival of the CSO programme fulfills the PPP/C 2020 campaign promise to help
narrow the development gap between the hinterland and the coast, Sukhai reminded.