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Natural Resources agencies warned to improve enforcement
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Robert Persaud yesterday met with the managers and heads of the various agencies that fall under the sector, and warned that 2014 must be the year of execution in terms of delivery and firm implementation of the regulations that have been put in place.
The leadership of the various agencies that fall under the Natural Resources and Environment sector at the meeting in the boardroom of the Grand Coastal Inn, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara.
The meeting which was held at the boardroom of the Grand Coastal Inn, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, was aimed at bringing various agencies together so that they can discuss openly, their challenges and experiences, develop a greater sense of appreciation for each other’s roles and responsibilities and make recommendations to foster better cooperation and synergies.
According to a Government release, the official explained that over the past few years, the main focus has been legislative and institutional strengthening and putting in place the necessary regulatory framework by which the sector must be guided.
In the mining sector, Guyana has signed on to the Minamata Convention to phase out the use of mercury. In the forestry sector, significant strides have been made with the implementation of the European Union Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Initiative (EU/FLEGT). The country has a strong partnership with the Kingdom of Norway; a national land use plan has been established for the first time, and a new unit has been established within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to specifically address the issue of stricter enforcement of regulations.
Additionally, late last year, the Ministry completed the wildlife conservation and management regulations and litter regulations were established.
“These are just some of the examples of what we focused on. We have done a substantial amount of work in terms of setting up the organisational, institutional and regulatory environment, the challenge this year is to implement, execute and get things done,” Minister Persaud said.
He told the gathering, most of whom, are at the helm of management of the sector, their success in executing their respective roles and responsibilities will depend largely on their level of commitment.
Effective governance of the sector is another key factor that needs attention, since this has always been and will continue to be a topical issue. The Minister said governance should not be restricted to policy alone.”I want to call you to higher level of service this year… we need enhanced and improved governance of the sector…if there are breaches in any area, then immediately this speaks of poor governance…as managers and leaders of the various agencies, we need to have a firmer commitment to responsible and effective governance, not only in our particular area, but also collectively,” Minister Persaud said.
He added that there may be calls for more manpower and resources to achieve this goal and said that while these are valid and reasonable requests, they should not be used as excuses to perpetuate ineffective governance of the sector.
He spoke of the concerns that have been advanced by key stakeholders within the sector such as: transparency, corruption, and fairness and equitable treatment as well as the importance of visioning and planning ahead.
“We are entrusted with the responsibility of oversight; regulating and developing the patrimony of this country… we are the custodians, in a great way, of this country’s prosperity. We owe it as patriotic Guyanese to understand the higher responsibility that we have especially for the natural resources and environment sector,” Minister Persaud said.
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