Dear Editor,
I wish to offer some clarification about a letter published in Kaieteur News, June 25, 2008, written by Mr MA Bacchus where the issue of farmlands at Buxton being bulldozed was raised.
As you are aware the lands were cleared as a result of the security issues that have arisen in the troubled communities and the clearing is being done within one thousand (1000) metres of the Pond Dam south of the Railway Embankment. Under this clearing exercise a verification and compensation process is being conducted. It is a multi-stakeholder course of action that includes the affected parties in addition to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council and Farmers’ Committee. I wish to inform you of some of the interventions that have occurred since the commencement of this exercise
1. The Ministry of Agriculture has provided compensation for 98% of the claims that have been received and verified.
2. A contract was awarded to the tune of sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) for the excavation and refurbishing of the pump basin in Buxton, which was in an unserviceable state for a number of years.
3. A contract for the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) was awarded to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council for cleaning the main navigational canals (which were severely clogged) to facilitate the harvesting of farmers’ cane.
4. Cane farmers have benefited from the donation of approximately one million dollars ($ 1,000,000) in agro-chemicals for the control of weeds in the backlands.
5. The Joint Services have allowed farmers to enter the backlands to conduct husbandry practices on their crops for the upcoming season.
6. The Joint Services have assisted with the cleaning of the navigational canal in Friendship and the Ministry of Agriculture is finalizing a contract for the sum of $ 4,800,000 as collective compensation for the further cleaning of navigational canals in the Buxton/Friendship communities.
7. Efforts are currently being finalized to allow the clearing of all debris remaining on the land, which will allow the farmers to return to the land. The undertaking is to engage the farmers.
All of the above-mentioned works being done in the Buxton/Friendship community are part of a wider agricultural development master plan that will allow the farmers to return to the land with a better D&I system, thereby reducing the risk of flooding to farmlands and the community, allowing them to be more productive.
All of these issues were discussed with residents and farmers of the community and it’s in this regard that I felt it imperative to respond to the callous and misinformed remarks by the writer.
The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Robert M. Persaud has himself visited the area to interact with farmers and update them on continuing support.
Extension Officers of the Ministry of Agriculture are also visiting the communities to provide assistance to farmers currently engaged in cultivation in the backlands (please note not the entire backlands are being cleared) and those involved in kitchen gardens.
Buxton/Friendship has been one of the first areas to benefit from the ministry’s ‘Grow More Food’ campaign where residents receive seeds and other agricultural inputs.
It is my hope that some clarification has been provided on this issue.
Yours faithfully,
Justin Mc Kenzie
Technical Manager
Buxton/Friendship Compensation
Fund
