MEMBERS of the  LCDS Multi Stakeholder Steering Committee are deeply concerned at how the draconian cuts in the Low Carbon Development Strategy budget will affect the Amaila Falls Hydro Project and other LCDS projects.

They, as well as national and international organizations are particularly concerned at the effect of the cuts on the Amaila Falls Hydro Project.

Following is the text of a statement issued yesterday by members of the  LCDS MSSC:
As members of the LCDS Multi Stakeholder Steering Committee, we are deeply concerned and disappointed at the action taken by the Parliament to cut the Low Carbon Development Strategy budget from $20B to $1B.
This cut will significantly affect LCDS Projects already in implementation as well as those planned for implementation in 2013. In addition to the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, the following LCDS projects will be adversely affected:

1. Institutional Strengthening in support of Guyana’s LCDS
2. Amerindian Development Fund
3. Amerindian Land Titling
4. Micro and Small Enterprise Development and Building Alternative Livelihoods for Vulnerable Groups
5. Biodiversity Research Centre
6. Adaptation Project
Cuts to the LCDS budget will affect projects to benefit the Amerindian and coastal population and lead to considerable reduction in the Government’s ability, in particular, capacities of primary institutions such as the Office of Climate Change, Project Management Office and the REDD Secretariat, to further advance the LCDS. The cuts will also have implications for Guyana’s continued performance under the Norway partnership and could place the next tranche of payment in jeopardy. Moreover, it would compromise Guyana’s leadership position in the international climate change agenda and cause unnecessary hardship to Guyanese.
The MSSC has contributed over the years to advance Guyana’s transition to a low carbon development path and this reduction in the LCDS budget will have a significant impact on this transition.
The MSSC is, therefore, calling on His Excellency the President and all Parliamentarians to work together to do what is necessary to ensure that the LCDS budget is restored urgently.
MSSC Members:
Minister Leslie Ramsammy     –     Ministry of Agriculture
Minister Pauline Sukhai     –     Ministry of Amerindian Affairs
Minister Ashni Singh         –    Ministry of Finance
Minister Robert Persaud     –     Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment
Shyam Nokta            –    Office of the President
Alfred King             –    Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports  
George Jervis             –    Ministry of Agriculture
Indarjit Ramdass         –    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
James Singh             –    Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC)
Janice Bollers             –    Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC)
Ronald Webster         –    Private Sector Commission (PSC)
Edward Shields         –    Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA)
Hilbertus Cort             –    Forest Producers Association (FPA)
Carvil Duncan         -Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG)
Paulette Bynoe         –    University of Guyana (UG)
Hymawattie Lagan         –    Women’s Affairs Bureau
Yvonne Pearson         –    National Toshaos Council (NTC)
Derrick John             –    National Toshaos Council (NTC)
Michael Williams         –    North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB)
Peter Persaud             –    The Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG)
Pamela English         –    The Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG)
Ashton Simon     –    The National Amerindian Development Foundation (NADF)
Rommel Simon     –    The National Amerindian Development Foundation (NADF)
Colin Klautky         –    Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous People (GOIP)
David Singh         –    Conservation International (CI)
Charles Hutchinson     –    World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Dane Gobin         –    Iwokrama International Centre
Joseph Singh         –    Individual Capacity
Annette Arjoon-Martins     –    Individual Capacity
David James             –    Individual Capacity
Raquel Thomas-Caesar     –    Individual Capacity