MINISTER of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, held engagements with the South Rupununi Development Council (SRDC) and the National Toshaos Council (NTC) on Thursday and Friday, to discuss matters and concerns of the people.

The initial meeting with the SRDC sought to address the government’s policy on river mining and the protection of the key headwaters in the South Rupununi, status of the operation of the “Dragga” down the Kuyuwini River, and the status of the Marudi Mediation Agreement Process.

The latter meeting with the NTC served to discuss the possibility for an extension of the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’s (FCPF) REDD+ Project. This is an Inter-American Development Bank-funded project that aims at reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries.

The project currently offers an immense amount of support to the council. In November 2018, the FCPF REDD+ Project advanced the furnishing and equipping of the NTC secretariat. Subsequently, there has been continued support and partnership in helping the council to execute its mandate. The REDD+ Project also supports some support staff of the NTC and rental of the building that houses the NTC Secretariat. The project is scheduled to come to an end in December 2019.

Minister Trotman highlighted that the project has done ground-breaking work in regards to the sustainable management and development of the country’s forests with the inclusion of the Indigenous Peoples.

He went on to note the international recognition given regarding the country’s forest practices and the eventual release of funds from the Kingdom of Norway to Guyana. The minister said that as such, it would be in the government’s interest that the project continues.

However, he said, if it does not, steps are being made to secure funding to continue aspects of the project, particularly in regards to the continuation of financial and material support to the NTC.

NTC chair, Nicholas Frederick, thanked the minister for the support and considerations going forward. Before the meetings culmination, he also inquired of how best the ministry could be incorporated into the upcoming National Toshaos Conference 2019, to better interactions with other toshaos who will be present.

Minister Trotman noted that the ministry will have a booth set up to address concerns and provide information and updates as needed, and will seek possible sideline interventions to address these.

The minister noted that he is pleased to have met and interacted with the members of the various councils and looks forward to more fruitful interactions at the conference, which runs from October 7-11, 2019, under the theme “Guyana’s First Peoples United in the Promotion of the Green Economy through Preservation of our Languages, Land and Right”.