APNU+AFC CALLOUSNESS COST THEM THE 2020 POLLS – SHUMAN

LACK OF CONCERN FOR THE WELFARE OF THE COUNTRY’S “MOST-
MARGINALISED” 78,500 AMERINDIANS cost the A Partnership For National Unity,
Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government the March 2020 polls, said first-time
legislator Mr. Lennox Shuman.
Shuman, who prior to his current parliamentary tenure, was Toshao of St Cuthbert’s Mission
from 2015-2018, told www.aroundtheregions.com since the beginning of his tenure he actively
engaged the APNU+AFC government to pursue policies to upgrade the well-being of the nine
tribes of Amerindians.
However, “they were not very receptive to ideas to empower indigenous peoples,” Shuman
reported.
He said despite many complaints to APNU+AFC government officials to correct treatment
meted out to these swing voters, then previous administration saw nothing wrong in their
handling of the ‘First Nation’ peoples. This resulted in them being booted from government,
Shuman argued.
Nevertheless, “it is a conversation that I am continuously having with the now Peoples
Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C)” the government legislator said.
The MP promised to keep advocating for improved benefits for the country’s mainly interior
dwelling indigenous population. “I have always been looking at ways in creating opportunities
for the indigenous communities.”
Shuman commended the ruling PPP/C government for their sensitivities to the plight of the
Amerindians and for their consistent and positive contributions to help improve their welfare
since taking office in August last year.
“I will say that the PPP/C is very receptive to having those discussions and finding ways within
which they enhance the lives of indigenous peoples across Guyana.  So, it’s not only about my
community it’s about all indigenous peoples across Guyana. People ask as an MP shouldn’t you

be looking out for all Guyanese and I say this to them, parliament has 65 members of which 62,
maybe 53 members are looking out for the majority interests of those living on the coast and it
doesn’t hurt to have one, two or three that have a clear focus from the most-marginalised
population in the country which are the indigenous; peoples,” he argued.
His effusive praise for the government isn’t linked to his close ties with them or his status as Deputy-
Speaker of the National Assembly either, Shuman argued. For him, the results of the elections
demonstrate the inner feelings of the indigenous peoples towards the APNU+AFC and the PPP/C
governments.
“The electorate would have spoken. In 2016, I said that 2020 will be a decisive year to see who
would have treated the indigenous people better and the result was clearly demonstrated in the
electoral process of March 2, 2020 when the people spoke resoundingly and rejected the
APNU+AFC because they did not take care of the people. Had they taken care of the people it
would have come out in the votes,” Shuman reasoned.