- Amerindian Affairs Ministry granted US $250,000 from IDB

Georgetown, GINA, February 26, 2004

Minister of Finance, Sasenarine Kowlessar today signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement for the ‘Leadership Development in Amerindian Communities’ project in the Boardroom of the Ministry of Finance.
Of the estimated cost of US $275,000 for the project, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved funding of US$ 250,000 while the Government will contribute US$25,000.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues, stated that the aim of the project is to train Village Council members of Amerindian communities in management and administrative skills.
She noted that Amerindian communities and their Councils have long been affected by accountability and other problems. Thus, the project will focus on improving Council activities by educating and providing information through training materials and educational resources.
The Minister said that the training programme should last about eight months.
IDB representative, Sergio Varas, at the signing of the Agreement, explained that the project will strengthen the organizational and action capacity of Village Councils.
He pointed out that the IDB recognized the necessity of the project and would provide all the support it can.
Other IDB representatives witnessing the signing were IDB Deputy representative, Mr. Marco Nicola and IDB Social Sector Specialist, Mr. Carlos Antola.