Growth is priority for underperforming forestry sector

Guyana can comfortably produce over 1,000,000 cubic metres of timber without interrupting conservation efforts, but the country’s current production level is just about 400,000 cubic metres.

This disclosure was made by Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) Commissioner James Singh on Thursday, during a Performance Review Workshop held by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, at which the heads of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) also made presentations.

James Singh
James Singh

Singh said that while a much larger production volume can be achieved, Guyana has never seen production levels above 500,000 cubic metres. Nevertheless, the deficient production level contributed US$40.1 million to Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) last year, and saw its highest ever figure of US$56.8Million in 2008. “The sector can do much more, and 2013 brings initiatives to improve production,” said Singh as he laid out steps that have been taken and will be taken during the current year to fill the gap that has long existed in the local forestry industry.

Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud said that these gaps have been recognised and remedying them will be one of the ministry’s priorities during 2013. He saidthat favourable areas will also be examined to see what improvements can be made.

Commissioner Singh said that the GFC has already engaged various institutions that have pledged to make further investments this year, following investments of approximately $2 billion in 2012. He said that the use of satellite imagery has enabled them to determine that Guyana’s rate of deforestation stands at 0.056%—a figure which was imperative in proving to the finance providers that Guyana was indeed honoring its environmental obligations.

Singh said that these investments will enable the forestry sector to draw nearer to it full potential. He also said that there are plans to intensify value-added production of timber products as they will enable the industry to earn more revenue. He added that systemic changes will also be made to ensure that regulations are respected and followed.

Singh said all operators must submit their Annual Operations Plan as well as their Forest Management Plan before they are granted permission to commence operations. So far, 26 Annual Management Plans and 23 Forest Management Plans have been submitted for consideration. In addition to this, Singh said that staff training and capacity building have been made a priority and have been done extensively across the various commissions that impact the forestry sector.  He said that the GFC’s aim is to build on the 400 staff currently employed by the agency. This, he said, would enable them to more effectively execute their responsibilities which include random monitoring of sawmills, concessions and other timber related operations.

Singh also said that the GFC hopes to begin market development and the promotion of the use of lesser known tree species, which he believes will increase the productivity of the sector.

Participants of the performance review workshop hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (Government Information Agency photo)
Participants of the performance review workshop hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (Government Information Agency photo)

Another forestry official, Clydecia Spitzer told the meeting that the ministry is also in the process of drafting a “strategic plan,” which will be aimed at improving its functional capacity. Spitzer, who is the project coordinator, said that the plan, which received financing as well as technical support from the United Nations Development Project (UNDP), will develop a framework which will be used to educate staff about the necessary processes involved in the preparation of strategic plans.

She said that in previous years, there has been a lack of persons with the capacity to produce a strategic, comprehensive plan for future use. This, she said, will be remedied by the strategic plan under consideration.

The final draft of the strategic plan, along with the cost as well as a framework should be available by April 2nd.  Joslyn McKenzie, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary said that the guidance contained in the plan is very important since it will be included into all strategic plans of all related agencies and commissions for the next five years.

Persaud said that in order for these initiatives to be successful, the ministry has chosen a bottom-up approach to policy formulation. He said that several political, social and environmental stakeholders have already been consulted.

The minister also underscored the need for better regulation of the extractive sectors, since statistics have shown that this is the sector most susceptible to corruption.

Finally, he said that there is need for technological innovation in the various sectors to make operations more productive and environmentally safe.

Persaud said that the method of gold extraction being utilized by most Guyanese operations leave one ounce of gold in the earth for every ounce that is extracted. This, he said, can be corrected if better technology is used. The minister also alluded to plans to phase out the use of mercury in mining operations for a substance that is more environmentally safe.