…updating national forest strategy in pipeline
The Natural Resources Ministry will see significant improvements during the new fiscal year 2017 through the review and revitalisation of policies in some critical areas.
This is according to Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman who last week said that to support the continued development and implementation of robust policies related to natural resources, while coordinating the work of implementing agencies under the purview of the ministry, and monitoring and evaluating the agencies’ work programmes, a financial commitment to the tune of G$579,879 million is necessary to cover the ministry’s recurrent and capital expenditures.
Speaking on the Strategic Plan and Policies for 2017 through 2021, while addressing the National Assembly, Trotman said the ministry has requested the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2017 to revise and update the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Strategic Plan (2013-2018) and Monitoring and Evaluation. He said that since assuming office, the Ministry has undergone significant institutional changes, and as such, it would be a timely initiative to update the strategic plan.
Updating strategic plan
Trotman spoke of the revision of the National Forest Policy and informed the house that for the New Year, the ministry will continue to update and/or create policies and laws relating to the conservation, management, protection and sustainable development of the nation’s forest resources.
“There have been changes in Guyana’s economic, social and political landscape over the last six years since the previous forest policy was crafted. An updated forest policy will mark a significant shift in emphasis from the development of the timber potential of our forests to management of the forests’ multiple down-stream goods and services for national benefit,” the Minister told the House.
He said the current policy of 2009 aims at dissuading the export of logs while encouraging value-added manufacturing of forest products. He said it is obvious that this policy was honoured more in the breach than in observance.
As it relates to National Log Export Policy, Trotman said in the interest of strategically enhancing the competitiveness of Guyana’s Forestry Sector in 2017, the Government has commenced review of the National Log Export Policy to develop a new policy for immediate implementation: “We cannot underestimate the role that mining plays in the nation’s social and economic development. Mining generates jobs and significant revenues. With improved governance, the sector can advance economic diversification and the creation of jobs and enhance sustainable investments in health, education and infrastructure. These positive benefits are difficult to achieve in the absence of a strong policy framework.”
He noted that it is for this reason that the ministry through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission will have a completed draft of the Mining Policy in 2017. He also announced that there is an ongoing review of the bauxite interview with a particular emphasis on the feasibility of an alumina plant.
Legislative gaps
Trotman said there is also need for a Legislative Review that would enable improved governance and the development of a sustainable extractor sector. He noted that in 2016, the Ministry had tasked its regulatory agencies with identifying strategic priorities, legislative gaps in their existing Act and Regulations, and more recently, a review of the fees and fines that are stipulated by their legislation.
Following the reviews conducted, it was deemed that the Acts and Regulations were out-dated and many loop-holes were identified and as such, there was a need for the revision of the legislative framework that governs the extractive sector.
In the area of Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) Trotman said Guyana remains committed to advancing its REDD+ preparatory activities through the Readiness Fund of the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF). With the financial support of the FCPF through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a Technical Cooperation valued at US$3.8 million will allow Guyana to undertake a series of REDD+ readiness activities, designed to create the basis for Guyana to receive payments for reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and for supporting conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
Specifically, he said this cooperation will support improvements in the organisation and strength of institutions for REDD+ readiness, including robust consultations and meaningful participation of stakeholders; and the preparation of the Guyana REDD+ Strategy to facilitate access to additional funding under performance-based incentives.
