Natural Resources Ministry, agencies participate in NTC 2019

Representatives of the Natural Resources Ministry and its agencies – Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, and the Guyana Gold Board participated in the National Toshaos Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Wednesday, October 9.
The participation served as a means to make presentations on Government initiatives, interact with, and answer questions and address matters of concern of the village representatives and Toshaos.

Ministry representatives of the Forest Partnership Facility Project Clayton Hall (Project Coordinator) and Michelle Astwood (Project Assistant) made initial presentations on the work the project had done so far.
The presentation focused on the immense progress that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) – funded project, whose objective is sustainable forest management, has made.
Particularly, the presentation highlighted the partnership with Indigenous Peoples in fulfilling the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) initiative. The project’s assistance in funding some operations of the National Toshaos Council was also highlighted.
Also making presentations was the Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, who outlined the Ministry’s goals, sector accomplishments, along with completed projects to better the lives of persons residing in the hinterland.
Minister Trotman outlined projects on water management, roads, environmental management and youth. He further highlighted the partnerships with the NTC through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to better allow both parties to complete their objectives and mutually benefit.
The Minister closed by noting the Ministry’s aim and commitment towards sustainable management and development of the natural resources sector to the benefit of all Guyanese.
On completion of presentations, village representatives and Toshaos were allowed to ask questions, all of which were addressed by the Minister; Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Commissioner Newell Dennison, and Deputy Commissioner of Forests, Gavin Agard.
The Ministry is pleased to have been able to make presentations and interact with the attendees. The Ministry maintains its commitment towards the Indigenous peoples and will ensure all matters raised during the remainder of the Conference will be addressed.