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Sawmillers want unrealistic LCDS quotas on logging removed

Jan 22, 2013 News

Local sawmillers are saying that while they agree that Government’s  Low Carbon Development Strategy(LCDS)  is something desirable, the implementation  has had some negative impacts on their  operations.
They are bitterly complaining about quotas and restrictions which they have to adhere to that are resulting in downtime, underutilization of their workers and equipment and even underemployment.
They are also charging that a number of foreign owned companies in the forestry sector are not subject to these limitations, a situation they feel is unfair to them as citizens of Guyana.
One local saw miller explained that the problem dates back to the implementation of the LCDS scheme and the resultant implementation of a quota system which restricts the amount of logs they can harvest and process.
The problem for local sawmillers, he said, is that these quotas of logs are generally not enough to sustain continuous operations.
“The quotas we are restricted to translate to  inadequate amounts of logs for full time operations ,” one sawmiller explained.
He said, “The result of the low quotas is that  every now and then we have to close  down operations or just work for two days a week. The saw men, the skid operators, the tractor drivers, the mechanics even the welders have to down tools. It’s not good for them since they can’t get paid.”
Saw millers hardest hit are those who harvest logs along the left bank of the Corentyne River. The source explained, “We only have one river bank. The other bank belongs to Suriname. This is further restriction.”
Another adverse consequence is that skilled workers are moving on to other job situations where employment is more predictable. Regular saw millers are finding it increasingly difficult to acquire and keep skilled workers.
Another effect has been the drop in local production in the sector in recent years.
The businessman said that representatives of sawmillers have complained about this situation to the Guyana Forestry Commission and promises were made to review the quotas but no action has been taken to date.
He said, “Guyana’s forests are so dense and regeneration is so quick and natural that there is hardly any way a few sawmillers could use up even 10 per cent of these resources.”
“So what’s the big deal?” he asked.
He added: “There are foreigners operating in the sector who are getting a better deal than the born citizens of this country.”
Himself and his colleagues are calling on the Government to remove the quotas and restrictions being enforced as a result of the LCDS programme either partially or completely.
“We want to work to our fullest capacity and to provide satisfactory employment for Guyanese. They need to review the current system and allow us to work as before,” he said.
He said that the sawmillers will continue to press for the removal of the LCDS restrictions.
They also expect the support of allied business organizations in their quest to have them reviewed and removed.

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