“Ownership Remains with the Community”: APA and Village Council Deny Derailing Kamarang Hospital
By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — In a stern pushback against the central government, Lemmel Thomas, President of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) and former Toshao of Kamarang, has flatly denied allegations that the APA is blocking the construction of a specialty hospital in Region Seven. The Ministry of Health (MoH) recently suggested that the Indigenous rights group was behind delays for the critical healthcare project, a claim Thomas describes as a misrepresentation of the community’s democratic process.
The dispute highlights a growing friction between the government’s rapid infrastructure rollout and the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) in the Upper Mazaruni.
The Land Allocation Fact-Check
Thomas clarified that while the APA advocates for Indigenous rights, the decision-making power regarding land in Kamarang-Warawatta rests solely with the Village Council.
- The 10-Acre Agreement: During an emergency meeting in April 2023, the Village Council actually approved the allocation of 10 acres (down from an initial request of 15) for the hospital project.
- The 50-Year Lease: The approval was granted under a specific legal framework: a 50-year lease governed by the Amerindian Act. This ensures that while the hospital can operate on the site, the underlying ownership of the land remains with the community.
- No Coercion: Thomas emphasized that this decision was reached through community consensus, free from any external pressure or “derailing” tactics by the APA.
A Project in Stasis: No Action from the MoH
In a supporting statement, the Kamarang-Warawatta Village Council confirmed they have been waiting on the Ministry of Health to move forward since their 2023 endorsement.
- Lack of Follow-up: Despite the council’s “good faith” land allocation, they report that they have received no official acknowledgment or follow-up from the Ministry.
- Zero Progress: To date, no construction has commenced on the site. The Council expressed confusion over the Ministry’s claims of delays, given that the village has already cleared the legal path for the project to begin.
- Self-Governance: The Council reaffirmed that they do not act against their own interests and rejected any suggestion that they were being “influenced” by the APA to stop a facility that would benefit their own people.
The APA Stance: Seeking Improved Planning
While Thomas praised the government’s intent to improve regional health policies, he noted that the APA itself was never formally consulted on the project.
- Advocacy, Not Obstruction: The APA maintains that its role is to ensure the government respects the self-determination of Indigenous peoples.
- Equitable Benefits: Thomas called for “improved planning” to ensure that the specialty hospital serves the specific needs of the Upper Mazaruni population as effectively as it serves the wider national interest.
The Need for Transparency
The standoff in Kamarang underscores a recurring theme in Guyana’s current development boom: the tension between “top-down” government projects and “bottom-up” community governance. For the residents of Region Seven, a specialty hospital is a necessity, but for the Village Council, the protection of their ancestral land is a priority that cannot be bypassed. Both the APA and the Council are now calling for transparent communication from the Ministry of Health to turn the 2023 land approval into a functional medical facility.
