Carbon credit grants: Submit more women, youth development projects – Minister to communities

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai has called for the submission of more women and youth projects in hinterland communities with the distribution of the carbon credits grant.
She was at the time speaking during Region One’s Regional Toshaos’/CDC Chairpersons’ Conference 2023, hosted by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Friday.
Speaking specifically on the Barima-Waini area, Sukhai revealed that thirty-seven (37) villages have already withdrawn the monies that were deposited into their bank accounts.

“There’s no problem with finances … when I visit villages, I expect to see a hub of activities, new and spanking infrastructure being worked on, engaging communities and villages. I would like to see women projects on the rise, I would like to see projects relating to young people, youth and sports development, I would like to see that you are paying attention to the elderly,” the Minister stated.
Sukhai also announced that the Government has already distributed $1.3 billion in carbon credit funds, from the $4.7 billion received from Hess Corporation, for the sale of 30 per cent of Guyana’s forest, in keeping with its promise to advance development and prosperity in Indigenous villages.
With more financial inflows being made available to Indigenous villages, the Minister is urging leaders to execute their projects in a timely manner, so that residents can benefit.
These include the Presidential Grant Programme, a $10 million COVID-19 investment fund, a $3 billion supplementary fund for Amerindian development that was earmarked at the last National Toshaos’ Conference (NTC), and the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF).
The Toshaos were told to ensure they submit their estimates to the Ministry to receive monies available under the $3 billion supplementary fund. Amerindian leaders were also encouraged to practice accountability and work in the best interests of the people.
“Please start sending your financial reports to the Minister, it is mandated by law, the Amerindian Act,” she emphasised.
They were also reminded that under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, every Guyanese including Amerindians will benefit from the massive transformation the Government is undertaking.
The one-day conference was organised by the RDC, to provide Amerindian leaders with an opportunity to raise their concerns at the regional level. Of the 242 Amerindian villages in Guyana, 165 have submitted their Village Sustainability Plans (VSPs), allowing them to access the monies that are available in their bank accounts.
In a previous interview with this publication, Toshao of Massara Village, located in North Rupununi, Region Nine, Lenny Moses shared that a portion of the village’s $18 million carbon credit grant will go toward the expansion of a poultry farm owned by the women in the community.
“We have a poultry farm that is owned by the women’s group; we’re going to expand the project. Right now, they’re dealing with broilers, and we’re going to expand and they’re going to go into layers. So, again we looked at creating employment for more women who didn’t have jobs before. It’s a good project; so far, they’re doing well, and that is why we chose to give some money toward that project for expansion,” Moses had told Guyana Times.
Meanwhile, Moco Moco Village, which is located in Central Rupununi will invest a portion of its $24 million carbon credit grant to develop a supermarket that will be operated by the youths.
Toshao of Moco Moco, Thomas George outlined that the mini supermarket will aid in teaching youths about business as well as let them earn an income so they can offset personal expenses.
“One of the things we would like to do is upgrade a youth centre we have. We built that a number of years ago for youths to do business in. We did some renovations last year from the COVID-19 investment fund and then now we’re planning to open a mini supermarket. That would be run by the youths of the community, to build capacity for business and management and of course, bring in an income that can be more self-sufficient,” George explained to this publication.
In February of this year, a total of 241 Amerindian communities across the country each received grants ranging from $10M to $35 million. This initiative followed the historic agreement signed with Hess Corporation for Guyana’s carbon credits in 2022, which will see the country earning US$750 million for its forest. A total of $4.7 billion (US$22.5 million), which represents 15 per cent of Hess’s payment for Guyana’s carbon credits, was disbursed in the various communities.