Dear Editor,
It has been brought to my attention that a letter sent to me by Minister of Natural Resources, Mr Raphael Trotman, MP, has been released to the public. I was informed that this letter was received by my office late on Friday evening. I will respond comprehensively to its content later but wish to offer initial comments on a few issues that I raised, which Mr Trotman is yet to respond to.
Firstly, while he acknowledges that the coalition government intends to expand on the PPP/C’s successful Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) he has not indicated how they intend to do so. And if it is the government’s intention to expand on the LCDS, why is it that the LCDS is not being recognized? Why are there no more consultations and awareness-building with stakeholders, especially Amerindians? Why is the LCDS Steering Committee not being convened? Why are there no consultations on projects being funded from GRIF monies? Persons are being hired in various ministries, project funds are being spent, etc. Instead of sharing more information on what is happening with the LCDS and the GRIF funds, there seems to be an effort to shut down information. The LCDS website which had served as a central information clearing house on all matters regarding climate change, LCDS and the Norway Partnership has now been taken down.
Secondly, Mr Trotman has said that the placing of an additional 2 million hectares (an area 6 times the size of Iwokrama) of tropical forests to conservation will bolster economic development such as eco-tourism. First of all the public needs to know how this 2 million hectares of forests will be determined? Which areas have been identified? Will this 2 million hectares require the government to take back lands from mining and forestry? Further, Mr Trotman incorrectly states that this 2 million hectares which has been committed by the coalition government will help meet commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Norway Agreement. In fact there was no requirement for Guyana to obligate itself to put 2 million hectares to conservation under any of these agreements. More importantly, were key national stakeholders in the forestry and mining sectors and indigenous peoples consulted before this commitment was made? Or was this being driven by external conservation interests?
Thirdly, Mr Trotman has failed to explain how Guyana can meet the INDC commitment to develop a 100% renewable power supply by 2025. Not even the US, EU, India, China or any other country has promised this in their INDCs. How will Guyana achieve this INDC target in 9 years? The Amaila project alone could have allowed Guyana to meet 90% of its energy needs
from renewable energy, but this project was deliberately scuttled by the APNU and AFC.
These are all critical issues which Mr Trotman should have discussed and consulted on thoroughly before committing Guyana to targets. What he has done is commit governments now and in the future to these targets.
Finally, Mr Trotman talks about being inclusive in decision-making. Where was the inclusiveness when these commitments were made? Where is the inclusiveness in determining how the GRIF funds are being spent? Why is the LCDS Steering Committee not being convened? As it regards boards, the way State Boards are currently functioning is a clear demonstration that they have no control and decision-making authority over their respective
agencies. Just one example is the case of the GuySuCo Board which did not take the decision to close the Wales Estate. This was a decision made by the country’s political directorate even in contravention of the government’s own Commission of Inquiry Report and which now has to be implemented by the Board. The PPP will not participate in rubber-stamping exercises by
State Boards which are inimical to the interest of Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
Bharrat Jagdeo, MP
Leader of the Opposition