THE Government of Guyana, via the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), has issued an invitation for persons to bid for the construction of an office building in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu -Upper Essequibo).
The 3,300 square feet single-storey structure is expected to be mounted at Lot CB 56, Lethem Commercial Block, as part of a 4.8 million euros Project Financing Agreement signed between the Government of Guyana and the German Development Bank (KfW Entwicklungsbank) in 2019.
The agreement specifically caters for the implementation of the Guyana Protected Areas System Phase III (GPAS III) which focuses on supporting the development of infrastructure in three protected areas in Guyana; community resource use (including livelihood related projects) and capacity building for effective management of the protected areas.

In addition to the construction of the actual building, the contract also encompasses the execution of several “external” works, such as the construction of a perimeter fence, an access bridge, a water trestle and a septic tank.
According to the public Invitation For Bids (IFB) issued earlier in the month, “Bidding will be conducted by means of the National Competitive Bidding Procedures, with qualifications as specified in the KfW Guidelines for the Procurement of Goods, Works, and associated Services in Financial Cooperation with Partner Countries.”
The IFB specified that once awarded, the contract has a stipulated eight months time frame. A press statement issued in 2019 by the Office of the President, formerly known as the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP), specified that in addition to the PAC office in Lethem, the aforementioned agreement also caters for a new Guest House at the Kaieteur National Park; the erection of ranger stations and outposts at the Shell Beach Protected Area, Kanuku Mountains Protected Area and the Kaieteur National Park as well as the construction of an office at Barima-Waini, Region One.

“With the continued support and cooperation between the KfW, the MoTP and the PAC, Guyana will move closer towards the Commission’s vision of a world class protected areas system that protects nature and improves lives,” the statement indicated, adding that Guyana has already benefitted from technical and financial support for the development of the NPAS under two phases of the project which are expected to be completed by 2022.
It was only recently that the PAC wrapped up its strategic plan for the period 2015-2020. The work of formulating the plan began in December of 2014, and, since then, the comprehensive document has served as a guide or a road map for the PAC to carry out its mission of effectively managing Guyana’s National Protected Areas while ensuring that the sites continue to add value to the lives of present and future generations. The plan also serves as a tool for the PAC to achieve its ambitious vision of crafting a world class National Protected Areas System in Guyana, while contributing towards the conservation of Guyana’s natural heritage.

“This plan, which has guided the work of the PAC over the past six years, is due to be reviewed and updated in keeping with more recent developments and any new national policies developed, but will continue to guide PAC’s work until it is replaced,” the Commission said in August 2020.
It explained that the current strategic plan sets out the four key strategic areas of work: administration and management; finances; stakeholder involvement and benefits; awareness, education and outreach.
It said too that conducting research and ecological monitoring are key to informing PAC’s management on issues affecting protected areas, as well as likely solutions.
“Ecological monitoring programmes have been developed for all of the hinterland protected areas. Planning and adaptive management is also important and related to this is developing various plans such as tourism and infrastructure plans as well as monitoring the effectiveness of National Protected Areas System management activities,” the PAC stated.

The establishment of infrastructure and the procurement of equipment are all necessary for effective management of the Protected Areas System. Human resources is also a major area highlighted in the strategic plan and PAC said that it has fully undertaken this task; hiring and training staff, improving administration systems through updating human resource policies, improving planning and reporting systems and improving staff working conditions, motivating staff and building morale.
The commission also emphasised the importance of partnerships, such as the one with Germany, in successfully achieving its mandate and vision.
“Awareness, education and outreach is another important area of PAC’s strategy and work. Public education efforts have been ongoing with nature camps, school tours, the development of awareness and education material such as brochures and posters,” the commission surmised in a column published in the Guyana Chronicle in August 2020.