WITH the aim of strengthening the institutional capacity of the ministry and providing a judgment of how well the ministry’s agencies are performing and are expected to perform, the Ministry of Natural Resources held its annual Sector Review and planning session at the ministry’s Duke Street office on Monday.

Present at the meeting were: Minister of Natural Resources, The Hon. Raphael Trotman; Junior Minister of Natural Resources, The Hon. Simona Broomes, along with staff of the ministry and representatives of the various agencies that fall within the purview of the ministry: the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI), Compliance Department, and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility Project (FCPF).

According to a release by the ministry, the meeting was addressed by Minister Trotman who welcomed everyone and iterated the government’s positions and expectations of the ministry and its agencies in the ensuing period. Thereafter, each representative made a presentation on the work of their agency, which included reports of projects, highlights for the year 2018, work plans, successes, challenges and the way forward. It further allowed an assessment of the economic and financial conditions and prospects of the agencies within the sector.

Each presentation gave way for discourse where questions were posited and advice and recommendations on improvements were given. Heads of the agencies were encouraged to continue the inter-agency coordination, for enhancement of the implementation of systems, achievement of goals and overall improved sector performance. The ministry remains committed to working together with its agencies towards achieving our common vision.

Our ability to direct our energies towards our overall accomplishments is the fuel that allows us to continue the utilisation, promotion and sustainment of our country’s natural resources to the benefit of all Guyanese.