Janette Bulkan should stay of Amerindian matters

Dec 11, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

I read with disgust the recent article penned by the migrated Janette Bulkan published in the December 08 edition of Stabroek News re: ‘NTC must explain legal basis of their endorsement of Government’s move to make decisions over Indigenous titled lands’.

Once again, Bulkan who has been residing permanently overseas is attempting to dictate the governance of Guyana’s forest resources. She even failed as part of GFC Board of Directors where she attended all meetings virtually from her comfort living abroad. During her tenure on the Board, large Investors such as Barama and Bai Shan Lin were forced out of the sector which collectively affected over 1,000 workers. This also resulted in a decline in production by 100,000 cubic metre and close to US$10 M loss in export earnings. This is just the tip of the iceberg of Janette Bulkan’s contribution to the mismanagement and corrupt practices within the forest sector as several large concessions were given to affiliates and members of the APNU/AFC.

Editor, this is the real legacy of Janette Bulkan. But now she is seeking to continue her reign of misinformation and ruins. She is no less than the ‘prophet of doom’. But let’s examine her contentions. The National Toshao Council comprises a complete representation of all Amerindian villages titled and untitled and neither Janette Bulkan nor anyone else should dictate what the Amerindians of Guyana choose to support or not. Additionally, several non-governmental and other Amerindian rights advocacy organizations supported the position of the NTC in a holistic and unanimous decision to sell carbon credits.

Further, Amerindians have the right to choose what they should and should not do with their titled lands. Who is Janette Bulkan to question the Amerindians of Guyana, while she resides in her cozy abode overseas? Her intentions are to discredit the global recognition of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy and its effective sale of carbon. Something Bulkan and her now failed opposition affiliates failed to execute. The LCDS and the forest sector have withstood countless attacks from Janette Bulkan and this instant is no different.

Therefore, as a private citizen of mixed Amerindian descendants and related to scores of Amerindian families who are still living in the hinterland, I respectfully ask Janette Bulkan to stay out of Amerindian people’s business. We are capable and competent to effectively make decisions in our best interest, including how we benefit from the sale of carbon.

Sincerely,

Carlos De Barros

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