Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud said all legitimate farmers, whether they farmed on transported or state land, were eligible for and would receive compensation.
Persaud’s statements were made in a letter he wrote to Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green and copied to the media on Thursday, after Green enquired in writing about the verification process for farmers affected by the clearing exercise being conducted by the Joint Services along the lower East Coast Demerara.
Persaud said farming is occurring in the Buxton/Friendship area on transported land, state reserves and along state dams but pointed out that the issue of land ownership will not be compromised as the land clearing exercise along the lower East Coast continues.
He said many of the affected farmers indicated during the verification process that the NDC had given only verbal permission to cultivate the state lands, and of those making claims so far, 22 said they had verbal permission while in a few cases, no permission was granted.
Green met with several residents of Buxton/Friendship on Monday at City Hall where the residents made various complaints.
The minister wrote that only the affected and legitimate farmers, including those farming on state land, will be considered for compensation, adding that the compensation rates are determined using technical analyses, good agricultural practices and legal precedence, as in the exercises for the Essequibo Road and Berbice River Bridge projects.
He noted that Green’s information regarding the cost per tree was inaccurate and stated that $500 and not $100 was the cost per pea plant. Persaud said, however, that $100 was an interim sum being offered by the assessment panel pending further verification.
Further, he said the compensation rates would hold for all areas cleared during the ongoing exercise. Persaud said he was confused on Green’s use of the term ancestral to describe land holding in Buxton/Friendship areas.
“As far I am advised, these lands are bona fide property of transported landowners. Moreover, it is unfortunate that you appear to be unaware that the PNC government reissued freehold titles to the residents of Buxton and Friendship in the 1970s,” the minister said.
Persaud added that his office was open to Green and the public should anyone need further clarification.
