…mulls tapping into GRIF fund, possible sale of High Street building

NATURAL Resources Minister Raphael Trotman is expected to meet Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, to examine short and medium solutions to the financial challenges plaguing the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). Tapping into the Norwegian Fund and the possible sale of the High Street (former Radio Station) building are among the options being considered in the interim.

The Forestry Commission is responsible for the administration and management of all State Forest land, however, it has fallen on hard times, and now finds it difficult to pay its staff, and execute certain functions.

Director-General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, on Wednesday, disclosed that after being briefed by Minister Trotman on the cash flow problems facing the Forestry Commission, Cabinet agreed that the Natural Resources and Finance Minister should meet to chart a way forward.

“Cabinet agreed that the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Finance will engage to examine short and medium-term remedies for addressing this issue. A report will be submitted to Cabinet following the ministerial engagement,” the director-general told reporters, during a press conference at the Ministry of the Presidency.

He explained that while the Forestry Commission continues to play a critical role in the preservation of the country’s forestry resources, it been experiencing financial difficulties for several years now. It was that the financial investment of $600M into the High Street Building has had a negative impact on the Forestry Commission’s finances, and had restricted its operations in some cases. The Forestry Commission had made investment under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) but the building remains a white elephant in a very derelict state. The commission is now analysing the possibility of selling that property.

Added to that, given the significant role the Forestry Commission plays in preserving the country’s forest resources, government is assessing the possibility of tapping into available funds under the Guyana/Norway agreement, for the Forestry Commission.

“We are reviewing some of the arrangements under the agreement to see whether the Forestry Commission can be paid for the service which they provide – ensuring that our forest coverage remains as it is and that deforestation levels do not rise. This has made us one of the best countries in the world with respect to deforestation,” the director-general explained.

On Monday, the natural resources minister met with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the sole bargaining agent of the workers at the Forestry Commission, and the Board of Directors and Management of the commission.
During the meeting, the authorities discussed the Forestry Commission’s current financial situation, and GAWU was keen on pointing out that there have been regular delays in the payment of salaries and other benefits.

While noting that the commission has been charged with additional responsibilities, GAWU told the minister that based on observation, it has not been receiving any additional resources to meet its new obligations. The GAWU also shared concern regarding the $600M invested in the High Street building as well as other debts, some of which are owed for protracted periods to the commission. Nonetheless, it said that according to the Forestry Act, any shortfall in the Commission’s expenditure should be charged to the Consolidated Fund.