Opposition blocks Specialty Hospital, $1.1B Amerindian fund

In the first of its promised cuts to this year’s National Budget, the Opposition yesterday voted against the Indian-funded US$18M Specialty Hospital and a $1.1B provision for the Amerindian Development Fund.
Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai

Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai

The blocking of the $910M for the controversial hospital slated for Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara, and the $1.1B set aside for the Amerindian fund immediately sparked condemnation from the Government side, which said that the action has undermined the possibilities of talks with the Opposition refusing even at the last moment to say what its concerns are with respect to the budget.
Amerindian representatives in the National Assembly for the Opposition insisted, during a hasty press conference, that they want a clear plan from Government on how the fund is being spent, with Toshaos and villagers complaining that the monies are benefitting mainly handpicked representatives of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic who collect $30,000 monthly and do virtually nothing