THE Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an agreement yesterday, to commence a planning process with various sectors. The latter is providing funding, in the vicinity of $33M, for the programme and the signing took place in the presence of MNRE Minister, Robert Persaud and UNDP representatives in the Office of the President, at Shiv Chandarpal Drive, Georgetown.
There currently exists the National Development Strategy (NDS) and the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and a number of agencies have also presented their work plans.
According to the minister, though, a comprehensive natural resources development outlook, strategy or vision that concentrated on this key sector of the national economy was lacking.
The initiative would allow MNRE in a “very focused and dedicated way” to look at new opportunities and further enhance the performance of existing activities within the sector.
“Anytime we embark on this type of initiative, people see this as another form of controlling or restricting growth and development in the natural resources sector. The opposite is true,” Persaud remarked.
The “holistic, forward looking” strategy would be catalysis for further growth in gold, diamond and other extractive industries like bauxite, manganese, oil and gas. The intention is for it to last just under six months and a comprehensive national consultation with stakeholders will be undertaken, he said.

CRITICAL INPUT
“The strategy is supporting the ministry’s work and its vision, in terms of having enhanced management of natural resources. This is a critical input. We’re hoping that we could have a first class natural resources development strategy that all stakeholders will be proud of and that will see greater contribution to our national development.
“If someone comes to me and asks what is your natural resources development strategy, I would have to verbalise it. But we want a comprehensive document that not only reflects the thinking of the minister but also one that reflects, in clear language and has the buy-in of every stakeholder in our country,” Persaud explained.
The approach will be embraced by all stakeholders, including from the miners association, forestry sector, wildlife, environmental work and even the international community.
“It can also be a model for other countries too. We have been trying to avoid many of the pitfalls common in other countries,” the minister pointed out
He said the final document will be a long term policy for the ministry that could be revised if needed.

ONE PAPER
In her remarks, UNDP Resident Representative, Khadija Musa said the national strategic plan will bring all related sectors into discussion and would, initially, come up with one paper that covers natural resource use in sustainable development.
It will also ensure that future development in terms of environment is very well coordinated with all the relevant agencies, she said.
“Every sector has its role to play. So all the different sectors will be brought to the table to discuss how the nation can have one plan in going forward and developing it and having a say on it. We hope that it will result in a paper that would last for about seven years. It would be an instrument or a guide for the country to follow,” the diplomat said.
Present on the occasion, too, were UNDP Programme Analyst, Ms. Patsy Ross and MNRE Permanent Secretary, Mr. Joslyn McKenzie, among other officers.