By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton, has delivered a scathing assessment of the government’s management of the Amerindian Hostel on Princess Street, Georgetown, giving the state a “failed grade” despite millions of dollars being allocated for its rehabilitation.
Norton’s comments come amid mounting public concern and criticism over what have been described as deplorable and inhumane living conditions at the facility, which accommodates Indigenous residents—many of whom travel to Georgetown for medical treatment, education, and essential services.
In 2024, the National Assembly approved $70 million for works at the Amerindian Hostel, including $24 million earmarked for general repairs such as door replacements, washroom rehabilitation, and overall improvements to living conditions, along with an additional $45 million for the construction of a new kitchen and a concrete bridge.
According to Norton, such an allocation should have resulted in a facility that is safe, functional, and dignified.
“If it is not being implemented and the money was appropriated for it, the politicians who put in for the money—which is the government—are duty bound to ensure that it is done properly and completed within the timeline,” Norton said.
He argued that the current state of the hostel reflects not only poor execution but a deeper failure in governance and project oversight.
“They failed to do that, which suggests that they have failed politically and they have also failed in terms of managing the projects,” he added.
The PNCR leader stressed that the government has an obligation to account for how public funds are spent, particularly on facilities intended to support vulnerable populations.
The Amerindian Hostel controversy has drawn criticism from across civil society, Indigenous rights advocates, and opposition groups. While government supporters have attempted to defend or downplay the issue, others have accused the administration of politicising the matter rather than addressing the core humanitarian concerns.
Representatives from We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) have also urged the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) to move beyond rhetoric and take decisive action to remedy conditions at the facility.
On Thursday, WIN Member of Parliament Leslyn Lowe issued a statement condemning the government’s handling of the situation and highlighting the longstanding silence endured by Indigenous communities.
“The Indigenous peoples of this nation have never been vociferous or vocal about issues affecting them, not because their challenges are fewer, but because their dignity has often been met with silence from those elected to serve them,” Lowe stated.
As public scrutiny intensifies, calls continue to grow for transparency, accountability, and immediate improvements at the Amerindian Hostel, with critics warning that failure to act risks deepening an already serious humanitarian crisis.
