Gov’t held no consultation with Indigenous Peoples, others on Carbon Credits- Ramsaroop

The Alliance for Change (AFC) Member of Parliament (MP), Mr. Ricky Ramsaroop, said the party noted the recent announcement by the Government that the entire forest of Guyana was assessed for carbon credits by ART TREES.

“This therefore means that the forest on Amerindian titled, and untitled lands were assessed, those areas under the Fourth Parallel were assessed and those areas given to loggers were assessed. Even private lands, whether titled or leased, were assessed.”

Speaking at the party’s recent press conference, Ramsaroop said the only direct beneficiaries from the carbon credits are Amerindians who will benefit financially in an amount which is 15 % of the amount received. He however pointed out the Government arrived at the figure arbitrarily and“there was no consultation or prior discussion in Parliament as to why this amount.”

On proper cogitation after consultations with Amerindians and other Guyanese, the AFC said it believes the amount for the First Peoples should have been 25% for a start, and they should be given a chance to manage their own funds.

“The AFC finds it unfair that forestry sector operators will receive nothing from the carbon credits monies even though their forests were assessed and were used to get the value.

“Despite private logging companies expending hundreds of millions to ensure Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) is achieved; and, spending hundreds of millions to maintain internal roads that other sectors such as Gold miners and even the Government use, surely this category of stakeholder ought to be beneficiaries too.”

The AFC notes that the Government will receive $150 million (US) as its first payment and has proposed the following:

1. A) that $US10 million is utilised as a revolving fund for the forestry sector for the purpose to help re-tool and rebuild this vital foreign exchange earning industry;
2. B) US$3 million for the Guyana Forestry Commission to enhance operations in this institution which is the backbone to ensure that our forest is managed sustainably;
3. C) 25% to the Amerindians which will total $US37.5 Million.

The remaining balance of US$99.5 million will be for the country’s coffers said Ramsaroop, as the opportunity was “taken remind the Guyanese people especially the loggers that when it was in Government under the Coalition, a GGMC Board decision was made to ensure that monies from GGMC was set aside to build interior roads and mostly loggers who were the major users were awarded these contracts.”

The MP said it has come to the knowledge of the A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change  (APNU+AFC) coalition that some of these roads are now being built by private contractors who are doing a horrible job.

Ramsaroop stated most of the interior roads and bridges are in a deplorable state, especially where the major activities of logging are taking place. “The Mabura road/bridge by the Kurupukari collapsed recently. The road to 14 Miles is in a terrible state. The famous bridge there, ‘the iron bridge,’ is in a dangerous state.  Contract for repair was awarded but no work is being done. The Kwakwani to Linden Road is also in a bad state and Rock Stone Road to Iteballi to Bartica is in a bad state.”