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I strongly urge this contract be frozen
Dear Editor,
This letter has been sent to Mr. Clayton Hall, Project Coordinator, Project Execution Unit, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). We kindly ask for publication in your newspaper.
I noticed in the media, advertisements for consultancy on Redd+ Strategy and Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) under the forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).
I congratulate you on moving this project forward and anticipate the commencement of other aspects as well. You are aware of some of my concerns regarding FCPF funds to the National Toshaos Council (NTC) and the four National Amerindian Organizations, but this is not my main concern today, having read the Redd+ Strategy and SESA advertisement for consulting services. I wish to refer specifically to item C under the Redd+ Strategy Consultancy that reads “conduct a retrospective analysis of the effects (in terms of Deforestation, degradation and other GHG emissions) of any regulatory/administrative changes that took place in Guyana over the past 12 years and may have affected the conservation and status of Forests”. It is my opinion that this is diverting project funds for political purposes. You and I know that the past 12 years the PPP/C was in administration and hence the study can more directly read “Analysis of the PPP/C administration on policy changes that affected Forest Conservation etc.
In my view the project is over stepping its mandate and authority and a study like this is best sanctioned by cabinet as in the case with the Forensic audits and mind you I do believe one was done for the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the Forestry Sector. I strongly urge that this contract and advertisement be placed on hold with political agenda items removed from its terms of reference, since this is purely a climate change and Redd+ project. The Amerindian Action Movement Of Guyana (TAAMOG) and many other Indigenous peoples of Guyana will have great difficulty supporting this aspect of the project should this political agenda item be included.
The effect of badly implementing this project has further repercussions for President David Granger’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS). Why would we want to put into jeopardy a big national project/plan like the GSDS to satisfy a narrow political/agenda? I do look forward for the project TORS to be adjusted and until such time I would urge the Tender Board not to proceed with this program further.
Peter Persaud
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