 Conference [Photo: Office of the President [July 11, 2022] </p>
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President Irfaan Ali during the opening of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference [Photo: Office of the President [July 11, 2022]
“Preservation of culture and identity does not mean at the expense of the best quality of life.
“The government will work every single day to uphold the delicate balance of promoting livelihood and securing your cultural identity and the environment,” Dr. Ali added.
Moreover, he told the indigenous leaders that their communities, many in the country’s interior regions, will benefit from upliftment fuelled by the oil and gas resource.
He said too that the government did not wish to dictate the shape that development should take as he underscored the reason for the conference being held under the theme: “Good Governance and Fast-Tracking Amerindian Development.”
“You have to go back and answer to them and we have to answer to you and that’s why the government needs to be integrally involved here… your rights will always be protected by this government,” he added.
 Conference [Photo: Office of the President [July 11, 2022] </p>
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The president promised improvements in agriculture, health and education even as he encouraged the leaders to speak frankly and openly in the consultative engagements over the next five days.
“Our plan is a simple plan; it is a plan that seeks to involve you in determining what is best for you and in charting a course that will deliver the best quality of life for you.”
The president announced increases in stipends for Toshaos from $30, 000 to $45, 000 while their deputies will now receive $25, 000, up from the $15, 000 they previously received.
The opening of the NTC conference on Monday also saw two absolute grants and five certificates of titles being given to indigenous leaders.
