Manifestos Spotlight Competing Visions for Hinterland Development
By Antonio, HGP Nightly News
The development of Guyana’s hinterland communities has emerged as a key focus in the manifestos of the country’s major political parties ahead of the September 2025 General and Regional Elections.
During his party’s manifesto launch on Friday, Aubrey Norton, presidential candidate for the Partnership for National Unity (APNU), pledged to better integrate hinterland communities into the national economy through new coast-to-hinterland highways, upgraded airstrips, and free, reliable internet access for every hinterland community.
Norton also promised that 50% of carbon credit revenues would go directly to Indigenous community members, while mandating mining and forestry companies to undertake approved community development projects. The APNU manifesto further outlines the creation of an Amerindian Heritage Fund, aimed at preserving traditional culture, languages, food, crafts, and medicine.
“Our proposals recognize the need to protect, respect, and guarantee Indigenous rights at all times,” Norton stated, adding that his party would accelerate land titling and establish an Indigenous Rights Commission within its first 100 days in office.
Meanwhile, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC), in its manifesto released on Monday, pledged to direct at least 15% of carbon credit proceeds to fund Indigenous village plans for sustainable economic projects. President Irfaan Ali emphasized that his government’s investments in roads, airstrips, and connectivity will continue, promising that development will be done equitably to expand jobs, opportunity, and wealth creation.
With both parties placing significant weight on hinterland development, the contest may come down to which vision voters believe will best balance economic growth, Indigenous rights, and environmental protection.
