Hinterland Green State Development consultations end

Regional consultations on Guyana’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS), which were being held to raise awareness of Guyana’s GSDS and to encourage meaningful participation from communities by identifying and prioritising the needs and expectations they have for their region, last week concluded with the final consultation being held in Kato, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
During the six-month awareness campaign, which began in April, 2018, 33 consultations were conducted in the 10 administrative regions. These sessions were conducted by expert teams from the Government of Guyana’s Department of Environment and United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment), with assistance from the World Wildlife Fund Guianas (WWF).
Meetings were held in the following cluster areas; Aishalton, Annai, Anna Regina, Bartica, Belladrum, Bush Lot, Charity, Corriverton, Diamond, Georgetown, Kamarang, Karasabai, Kato, Klien Pouderoyen, Kwakwani, Lethem, Linden, Mabaruma, Mahaicony, Mahdia, Matthew’s Ridge, Moraikobe, Moruca, New Amsterdam, Orealla, Parika, Port Kaituma, Rose Hall, Shulinab, Soesdyke, St Cuthberts and Number 8 Village.
Participants of the sittings were requested to share their ideas and vision for how they would like to see development in Guyana over the next 20 years, as their inputs from these consultations will influence and guide the final Strategy submission.
Among the priority areas need to be addressed in both hinterland and coastal consultations were the improper management of solid waste, inadequate infrastructure, lack of health and educational services and lack of suitable facilities. Domestic violence and substance abuse were also on the list of things to be addressed.
The Green State Development Strategy is Guyana’s national development plan that sets out investment priorities for economic and social development over the next 20 years. It is based on the principles of a ‘green economy’ which aims to improve standards of living, ensure social equity and reduce reliance on resource-intensive sectors and open new and sustainable income opportunities for Guyanese citizens.
The Green State Development Strategy will focus on guiding Guyana along a path of development that delivers a clean and healthy environment that provides opportunities to earn a decent wage and enjoy standards of living that promote happy, healthy and wholesome individuals, families and communities.