Kabakaburi residents ordered to cease logging in disputed area

Aug 10, 2017 News

– Toshao says decision will bring hardship to community

By Romario Blair

After more than 12 years of territorial dispute, the Kabakaburi village, Upper Pomeroon River

Toshao Cleveland Simon

Village, was recently ordered by the Guyana Forestry Commission [GFC], to cease all works in the disputed area until a number of issues are resolved.
The Kabakaburi village has been accused of logging on state owned land.
In representing the Kabakaburi Village on Tuesday at Regional Administrative level, the Toshao, Cleveland Simon, lamented that such an order by the GFC signals distress for his village. The Kabakaburi village is heavily dependent on its logging activity.
More than 60 percent of the population is dependent on logging, since farming bears presents challenges as the Pomeroon River occasionally overflows.
The Toshao feels that his village has been neglected and is being treated unfairly. “This matter has become over bearing because the residents are pressuring me as a leader to represent them. It’s a lot of frustration because only the other day we received GYD $50,000 to rectify the matter. Subsequently the money was spent out running around behind these offices with no results. A Lands and Surveys officer told me that he give our shape file to forestry. When I called the Commissioner of Forestry they told me that lands and surveys can’t find the map. So it’s a lot of confusion here.”
The Shape file is a map that indicates the territorial boundaries of the village.
Simon pointed out that the Guyana Lands and Survey, the Guyana Forestry Commission and Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, are well aware of the impending boundary issues. At the moment however, villagers continue their calls on these relevant authorities to address the issue.

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