The Office of Climate Change (OCC) yesterday warned against opposition-proposed cuts of its 2012 allocation saying important projects like the installation of solar panels in the hinterland would be at risk along with the country’s leadership position on green growth.
Cuts to the OCC within the Office of the President will likely come up today when consideration of the budget estimates concludes.
An OCC statement said it had taken note of the proposed cuts and said that they imperil most of the Low Carbon Development Stra-tegy and projects under the Norway-financed Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund.
“This proposal risks creating a complete reversal of significant gains made in modernizing Guyana as our country prepares for the future. The proposal should be stated for what it is: a plan to cut beneficial programmes which will affect every section of our society: rich and poor, young and old, on the coast and in the hinterland.”
The statement said that the budget reductions if implemented will see:
-A halting of the installation of 11,000 solar home systems in 150 hinterland communities;
-A halting in the distribution of 90,000 laptops with training and internet access to low income earners across the country;
-A halting of grants and loans to micro and small businesses and vulnerable groups
-Withdrawal of support to the Cunha Canal rehabilitation which is critical to address flooding;
-Withdrawal of financial support to the Amerindian Development Fund; -The cancellation of e-Governance and the fibre optic cable;
-The immediate reduction of efforts for the demarcation of Amerinidian lands and extensions.
The opposition has differed with the government over which projects are to be cut and it has stated it will not endanger projects which are properly thought out and transparent.
The OCC statement raised the prospect of the cancellation of the Amaila Falls hydropower project though the opposition has said it is not against the project but wants clear information on feasibility, cost and the method of financing.
The OCC statement also charged that “The Opposi-tion (cuts) would see Guy-ana cede its global leadership on climate change, sustainable development and green growth. Regardless of domestic political considerations, the Opposition should have the grace to recognize that the former President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo enabled Guyana to punch above its weight in this arena”.
The release further stated that the LCDS was developed through extensive rounds of stakeholder consultations across the country and has emerged through international consensus as a workable model.
The release alleged that the opposition’s cuts would bring to a halt Guyana’s partnership with the Kingdom of Norway, which is the second largest REDD+ initiative in the world and which would see Guyana benefitting from up to US$250 million over a five year period as payment for forest climate services. It did not state why exactly the relationship with Norway would come to an end following budget cuts.
“If the Opposition is successful, cuts to the LCDS and GRIF will damage our economy, and will negatively impact our children, families and communities in every part of Guyana.
These proposed cuts by the Opposition will have far reaching consequences for the future of Guyana”, the OCC said.
