Quarrel over FCPF money

Jun 13, 2016 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I refer to a letter written by Lenox Shuman, vice-chair of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) titled “NTC concerned about accusations of malpractice”. It must be noted that while Shuman’s letter did not state to whom he is referring to, I guess it was me. Firstly I wish to point out some glaring inconsistencies in Shuman’s letter. Shuman give a very eloquent overview of the forest carbon partnership facility (FCPF) project and also highlighted that the IDB has clarified many inconsistencies and that the NTC is fully satisfied with the approach of the IDB and how the FCPF project is positioned to move  forward. I do believe Shuman is inconsistent in his response and his previous utterances on this matter.
It would appear that his latest response may have been heavily influenced by the IDB since Shuman’s letter is very contradictory. The letter aims to convey a couple of points; that the NTC  is pleased with the pace of the FCPF project implementation ,that the NTC is totally believing of the reasons for the stalling up of the disbursement of the NTC’s support from the FCPF , that they see progress and movement regarding the disbursement of the FCPF funds relating to the NTC activities in the near future and that this is somehow the consensus position of the NTC- after all, the article was titled’’ NTC (Not Shuman) concerned about accusations of malpractice”.
For a moment, let’s pause to see these assertions for what they really are, given facts surrounding the situation. Is the NTC pleased with the FCPF project implementation? They certainly did not convey this at two separate   meetings one in the last quarter of 2015 and a recent meeting on May 2, 2016 when they met with the Norwegian team at which I was in attendance and at which serious concerns were expressed by none other than Shuman himself on the pace of the FCPF project implementation in Guyana. Is the NTC accepting the explanation of the IDB that the stalling up of the flow of support to NTC from the FCPF is explainable and not because of the IDB’s derailing actions?
Two members of the NTC related to me that Shuman himself asked the IDB if they can transfer budgeted funds to the NTC directly and the response by the IDB was that this can be done. Then the big question is, why has it not been done and why has Shuman put on convenient blinders to this promise by the IDB? How and why has this position changed now? Another Toshao indicated to me that Shuman himself was querying why the FCPF funds were taking so long to disburse to commence the implementation of NTC activities.
On May 2, at the civil society forum hosted by the visiting Norwegian delegation to Guyana held at the Herdmanston Lodge, Shuman gave a totally different position than the one he is expressing in his letter. Shuman very emphatically stated that last year the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) was engaging the NTC on the FCPF project and since then they have not back anything on the project. He further said he cannot understand why the FCPF funds cannot be disbursed directly to the NTC. Shuman is on record making these comments at the meeting.
This meeting was attended by many reputable civil society representatives and they can attest to this. So how, at the meeting, Shuman seems very displeased about the project questioning the IDB’s approach to implementation and now two weeks later he gave a glowing overview about the project? His outbursts and statement at the May 2 meeting and his latest letter in the media are therefore at odds with each other. It is clear, that it seem likely that Shuman has been influenced by the IDB’s local office in his response to the media.
This needs to be fully investigated as it breaches indigenous rights principles particularly FPIC and a mockery to Guyana’s Indigenous peoples. The IDB has a lot to answer since they are the delivery partner, a role they are being paid millions of Guyana  dollars to perform and it seems just showing up in the hiring of staff, paying themselves and holding back funds from the NTC and other indigenous NGOs named in the project document including TAAMOG. Don’t compromise yourself for anyone Mr. Shuman and don’t do it at the advantage of the IDB whilst saying you are representing the NTC.
The point is, that the NTC does not have the funds or support measures as yet and no clear indication from the IDB that this will take place soon and through a mechanism that will allow for the independent management of these funds by the NTC .Shuman do not betray your indigenous brothers and sisters who are depending on you. Is the NTC in receipt of any affirmative information by the IDB that the funds or support from the FCPF will be disbursed soon to the NTC and by what date will ‘’soon’’ be?
Will there be clear independence and undue influence by any entity or the IDB on the implementation of the NTC activities? Will these funds be expended in a way keeping true to the FCPF expectation or IDB’s local office preferences? Shuman in his letter purporting to be speaking on behalf of the NTC says nothing of these things but just kept emphasizing that IDB is in charge and they will take of things and no one needs to worry. How can such blind trust continue when so much is at stake and being delayed because the IDB is not doing as they should in expeditiously transferring the funds to commence implementation of NTC’s much needed institutional strengthening process? I suggest that Shuman spends his time being concerned about this rather than defending the IDB.
Further, being defensive of the IDB Shuman view or the NTC? This is unclear as it is most unorthodox that the vice-chair, not the chair or secretary issues a national response in the public media purporting to be speaking on behalf of the NTC.
Several member of the NTC have indicated that they know nothing of this position that Shuman expressed in the media on their behalf regarding FCPF funds that should have already delivered to the NTC by the IDB. Can Shuman point out in the NTC’s executive minutes where this matter was discussed and a resolution taken signed and endorsed by the NTC?
It seems non-existent since members of the NTC I spoke to have affirmed that the matter was never discussed and this is Shuman’s own letter which the IDB asked him to write. There is much to be concerned about   Shuman much more than who I represent .i can assure you that I represent my indigenous peoples whom I serve patriotically and unceasingly to ensure that their interests are put first and the interests of multilateral with inherent self-interests and questionable motivations.
Peter Persaud

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