The Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Robeson Benn, M.P and the Permanent Secretary, Ms. Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas, joined His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the Vice President, Dr. Bharat Jagdeo, the Honourable Prime Minister, Brig (R’td), Mark Phillips and other Ministers of Government at the opening ceremony of the National Toshaos Council Conference.
The conference saw in attendance Toshaos and council representatives from the ten (10) Administrative Regions, along with other special invitees and was held after a three (3) years hiatus at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, under the theme; “Good Governance and Fast-Tracking Amerindian Development”.
During his featured address, H.E President Ali announced a 50% increase for Toshaos and Deputy Toshaos, bringing their stipends to $45,000 and $30,000, respectively. In addition, senior councillors in indigenous communities will receive $25,000, and all councillors from the ten regional democratic councils will receive $30,000. Further, H.E President Ali also handed over land titles to Toshaos in various regions.
The five-day event is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the National Toshaos Council.