Region 10 forestry groups protest “unfavourable” land allocations

Numerous members of forestry groups at Kwakwani in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), on Monday staged a protest against what they allege is the “unfavourable allocation” of lands by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) within close proximity to the community. According to members of the community organisations, they are dissatisfied with the decisions as it relates to the last two land allocations, following the publication of lands in June 2019 and February of this year.

The protesters held placards which bore slogans such as “People who know nothing about wood work get lands over community organisations”, “More lands, more tags, more work” and “Without lands how will we work…How will our children eat”.
At the centre of the exercise were members of logging organisations, including the Upper Berbice Forest and Agricultural Producers Association (UBFAPA), Kwakwani Natural Resource Organisation and Aroaima Forest and Agricultural Producers Association. Several residents and business people also joined the peaceful protest exercise. Speaking with this publication, First Vice Chairman for UBFAPA, Juanita Thom outlined that the community organisations put together have approximately 290 members with more than 3000 families to provide for. Thom said no more lands mean no tags, no work and no survival since some of the organisations’ members have almost worked out their quotas and there are no other alternatives, since the RUSAL bauxite company is presently closed and many other mining companies are laying off workers. In a joint statement by members of the various community organisations, it was alleged that the allocation of the lands was not in keeping with a democratic process.
“Residents are angry…Over one hundred residents came out, but our full support in numbers were hindered by COVID-19 as there would not have been enough space for us to maintain six feet distance if more persons came out…Kwakwani and the community logging organisations were disrespected by GFC and its Board of Directors with their bias decision.
According to Section 11 Sub-section 4 of the 2009 Forest Act which gives preference to community groups that are in close proximity of the forest that the Commission plans to allocate….. this tells us clearly that the law in the allocation process were not followed by the Board…”, it noted.
The statement continued that in 2019 there were 15 lands up for allocation within the Division as compared to 4 in 2020. It was also alleged that none of these was given to any of the community groups.
“However, people with no logging experience and no credible competence was given preference to the lands…In addition…lands allocated in 2020 was initially a suggestion made by the UBFAPA former Chairman, Mr Charles Thom so as to have more lands available for community groups…the past GFC Commissioner would write each person that apply to say why they did not get lands. But this did not happen in 2019 nor 2020…
There were no logical or substantial reasons for these community group to be denied land”, the statement said.
Members of the community organisations further indicated that they were not contacted with regards to this and further demanded that the Waico land be issued to the community groups, noting that it is right according to the law.