GFC denies Region 10 forestry organisations’ claim

“Unfavourable” land allocations…

…groups contend allocation process remains questionable

The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) has denied allegations of unfavourable land allocations made by members of several forestry organizations in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) during protest action staged in front of the Kwakwani Forest Station on Monday.

Members of the various community organizations say they are dissatisfied with decisions as those relate to the last two land allocations close to Kwakwani, following the publication of lands in June 2019 and February of this year. In a statement issued on Monday, the organizations, including the Aroaima Forest and Agriculture Producers Association (AFAPA), the Upper Berbice Forest and Agricultural Producers Association (UBFAPA) and the Kwakwani Natural Resource Organisation, contend that in 2019 there were 15 parcels of land up for allocation within the Division, as compared to 4 in 2020. It was also alleged that none of those was given to any of the community groups.
However, the GFC on Tuesday refuted claims that the organizations were treated in an unfavourable manner. According to GFC, section 6 (4 & 5) of the Forest Act of 2009 mandates that the GFC evaluate the technical and financial qualifications as well as the compliance history of every applicant to satisfy itself that the applicant intends in good faith to fulfil the forest concession agreement and has the competence and resources to carry out the type of operations specified in that agreement.
The GFC further noted that Regulation 8(2) of the Forest Regulations of 2018 stipulates that no forest concession agreement is to be granted unless all outstanding fees have been paid or assured.
“Regrettably, some associations have been unable to meet the statutory qualifications set out above.
In and around 7th February, 2020, the associations in question made several respective applications for vacant forest concessions publicly advertised by the GFC between January and February, 2020,” a press release from the entity stated.
It continued by listing the records of those already holding concession, noting further that the GFC also advertised a detailed list of criteria for consideration, which also highlighted that all outstanding sums due should be cleared prior to or at the date of the applications, in order for them to be considered.
Notwithstanding indebtedness of the associations, the GFC said, it did not weigh these debts heavily against them, since they were both signatories to Memorandums of Understanding with the GFC for the said sums.
According to the entity, it could not look past the numerous breaches of the Forest Act over the lifetime of the concessions, neither could it ignore the fact that UBAFAPA controlled 18 concessions, including three large concessions.
“The GFC was of the opinion that UBAFPA needed to strengthen their management capacities to properly manage the concessions already awarded to them before they could be favourably considered for additional concessions”, the release stated.
The GFC indicated further that the AFAPA failed to submit any supporting document with its application to satisfy the organization of its competency or adequacy of resources to carry out another forest operation.

Forestry organisations
Meanwhile, in response to the press release, the UBFAPA is contending that GFC’s statements can cause readers to think that they are in constant fault and are unable to pay debts, while contending that there are underlining factors to GFC’s contention. The UBFAPA firmly maintained that the land allocation process of 2019 and 2020 remains questionable and unfavourable to these groups.
“On the 14 of January, 2020 UBFAPA received correspondence from the Commission on fines and royalties owed. UBFAPA asked the Commission for some time to study the letter and compare and contrast with its records… A subsequent correspondence was received with a reviewed total amount. On the 21 February, 2020, the Forestry Commission and UBFAPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding for payments of the outstanding monies owed to GFC. In addition, 20% of the outstanding sum was paid to the Commission upon the signing of the agreement. It is the Association’s view that the Commission cannot place the fault on these groups by waiting after 3 years to inform these groups of their fines and compensation spanning as far back as 2017”, the UNFAPA said.
The organization continued that the Memorandum of Understanding with the GFC is a legally binding document which gives assurance that all outstanding monies will be paid. It outlined that, in the past, UBFAPA owed 7 times what it currently owes and paid off the amount far before the agreed deadline.
“…the Commission is well aware of the fact that the Association has 185 members (who are) all residents of Kwakwani, and (are) direct beneficiaries of the services provided by these groups, along with their families.”
It continued: “UBFAPA has been a major contributor to Kwakwani’s development over the years, and has seen a 70% decrease in fines and compensation to GFC over the years. This, the organization noted, is testament that its system has improved.
“In addition, had it not been for our efficient system of management, we could not have highlighted GFC’s mistakes. However, the Commission’s statement on UBFAPA’s management is just an understatement, one intended to stifle the true potential of these groups”, the UBFAPA said.