By Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
— The Parliamentary Committee of Supply has greenlit $5 billion for the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) as part of the 2026 National Budget. The allocation is designed to stimulate economic growth in Guyana’s 247 indigenous villages, with a focus on agriculture, transportation, and youth empowerment.
However, the approval process grew tense on Tuesday when Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Browne-Shadeek was grilled over the disconnect between total expenditure and the actual implementation of Village Sustainable Plans (VSPs).
Funding Local Priorities
Minister Browne-Shadeek emphasized that the ministry does not dictate village spending. Instead, funds are released based on specific requests from Village Councils to support projects they feel “comfortable in executing.”
Key ADF Allocations for 2026:
- Presidential Grants: Used for sustainable farming, poultry rearing, and village-level transportation.
- CSO Stipends: Monthly stipends for Community Support Officers (CSOs) have been increased to $50,000.
- Training & Empowerment: Monies are set aside for the continuous training of CSOs and specific projects targeting women and youth.
- Infrastructure & Equipment: Procurement of more tractors and, for the first time, garbage trucks to assist villages with waste management.
- Maintenance Fund: A dedicated fund to assist with the repair and miscellaneous expenses of village machinery.
The VSP Contradiction
The debate shifted to accountability when APNU MP Juretha Fernandes pointed out a significant gap in project completion. Fernandes noted that despite the full expenditure of funds in 2025, only 125 plans were actually implemented out of the 247 villages.
“How is it all the monies were expended in 2025 and only 125 plans were actually implemented out of the 247?” Fernandes demanded.
Minister Browne-Shadeek opted not to address the specific “missing” plans directly, instead highlighting that 180 villages have now completed their VSPs—an increase from previous reporting. She informed the Committee that the Ministry has developed a new “Monitoring Tool” that allows field staff to provide real-time updates and ensure works are carried out to standard.
Monitoring and Support
The Minister maintained that if projects encounter hurdles, the Ministry provides additional technical support to ensure completion.
- Field Inspections: Staff are now equipped to inspect projects more frequently to verify that “value for money” is being achieved.
- Real-Time Data: The new monitoring system is intended to flag stalled projects earlier in the fiscal year.
Summary of Amerindian Affairs Approvals
Beyond the $5 billion ADF, the Committee of Supply also approved:
- Hinterland Scholarship Program: Funding for student accommodation and stipends in Georgetown.
- Heritage Month 2026: Initial allocations for the national celebrations in September.
- Land Titling: Continued support for the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) project.
