By Bebi Shafeah Oosman
EAST BANK BERBICE loggers could soon benefit from an additional 5,000 acres of forestry concession, a 1,200-acre mining block and a fully equipped furniture-making workshop, as the government moves to expand opportunities in East Bank Berbice for loggers.
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, announced the proposed interventions on Friday during an outreach with loggers and residents in the Mara, East Bank Berbice Area.
However, access to several of the opportunities hinges on members resolving longstanding internal differences and getting their association functioning effectively.
The Minister’s visit followed an Open Day held at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) office on Garrison Road, New Amsterdam, the previous week, where East Bank Berbice loggers approached him with several concerns.
Among the issues raised were the need for additional lands to expand logging operations, access to areas for firewood production and challenges surrounding the functioning of their association.
Bharrat subsequently committed to visiting the East Bank of Berbice to meet directly with stakeholders and explore possible solutions.
During last Friday’s meeting, he disclosed that the association currently has approximately 8,500 acres under its forestry concession and said the government is prepared to make an additional 4,000 to 5,000 acres available.
Before this can happen, however, the Minister stressed that members must resolve the internal issues affecting the association. He pointed out that the association’s concession has not been renewed for approximately two years, despite tags being available through the Guyana Forestry Commission.
Bharrat said the government is prepared to provide support, but members must first demonstrate their willingness to work together and establish an effective organisation through which assistance and opportunities can be channelled.
In another major proposal, Bharrat said the association could also be given an opportunity to diversify into the mining sector.
Once the organisation is functioning effectively, he said the government is prepared to allocate a mining block comprising approximately 1,200 acres.
He explained that while a mining block covers approximately 1,200 acres, actual gold-mining activities generally require only a portion of that land, depending on the quality and location of the gold-bearing deposits.
Bharrat also floated the possibility of consolidating the various logging, firewood and other small groups operating along the East Bank of Berbice into a single association representing loggers and miners.
Efforts to reorganise the stakeholders are expected to advance shortly, with the Guyana Forestry Commission scheduled to meet loggers, the firewood association and other small associations operating along the East Bank of Berbice on September 27 at Mara.
Meanwhile, Minister Bharrat also announced that jewellery-making and joinery training will be introduced in Berbice before the end of the year, opening the programmes to both young people and adults interested in acquiring new skills.
The Minister said the interventions are intended to create additional livelihood opportunities while allowing communities to derive greater economic benefits from the country’s natural resources.
Several loggers and residents who attended Friday’s outreach welcomed the proposals and expressed appreciation that the Minister had followed through on his commitment to visit the area after hearing their concerns at the GFC Open Day.
Member of Parliament Zamal Hussain and Regional Vice Chairman of Region Six, Wajid Saheed Khan, also attended the outreach, where they interacted with loggers, miners and residents.
