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This was reaffirmed by Amerindian Affairs Minister Sarah Browne as the government moved to counter claims that facilities in Region One are not functioning.
Minister Browne rejected assertions made by Opposition Member of Parliament Deon LaCruz, who questioned the effectiveness of administrative and social services in the region. She told the National Assembly that while challenges persist in remote hinterland areas, government facilities remain operational and continue to receive targeted investment.
“It is not true to suggest that facilities in Region One are not functioning,” Browne said, stressing that service delivery must be assessed within the realities of hinterland geography and access.
She said the ministry, working alongside regional administrations, has been strengthening service delivery through infrastructure upgrades, staffing support and improved logistics, particularly in riverine and hard-to-reach communities.
“We are dealing with communities that are accessible by river and trail, and despite those challenges, services continue to be delivered,” the minister said.
Browne noted that Budget 2026 provides continued allocations for Amerindian development, with a focus on long-term outcomes rather than short-term interventions. She added that village councils and regional officials play a central role in identifying local needs and coordinating with central government to address gaps in service delivery.
Ongoing investments in transport, energy and connectivity were also cited as critical to improving how facilities function across the region, she said.
The exchange formed part of wider Budget 2026 debates, which have focused on development priorities, social services and economic resilience, with the government maintaining that the budget adopts a people-centred approach, particularly for Indigenous and hinterland communities.
