Dear Editor,
I write to lobby for the fast-tracking of the implementation of the Low Carbon Development Strategy. This is so because since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Guyana and Norway in November, 2009, no significant result has been achieved. It must be noted that the agreement ends in 2015. The three years remaining will soon be gone.
Please note that the indigenous peoples of Guyana have much to gain from this agreement, and quite rightly so, because we have always been the keepers of the forest and the eco-systems. Regardless of the faults of the former President Jagdeo, we have to pay our respects to him for grabbing at the LCDS at the opportune moment.
However, the PPP/C cannot do this alone. It has to open its doors to the opposition and perceived opposition. Guyana and the indigenous peoples are desperate for real development. This can only be gained by us working together.
The Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee (MSSC) should be expanded to include the ‘other side.’ On the surface level it should include representatives from APNU, AFC, Amerindian Peoples’ Association, etc. Further, one representative from the political parties in Parliament in each of the hinterland regions should be invited to witness the MSSC meetings and make recommendations to their representatives. The MSSC meetings should take the form of a mini-parliament. They should be chaired by the Minister of Natural Resources and co-chaired by an opposition shadow minister. Let us be realistic: the President cannot and should not chair this committee. He has matters of state to deal with, and anyway, he should not be micro-managing. A well-constituted MSSC will be able to guide the process forward in a timely manner. It would also avoid the ‘Emperor’s new clothes’ syndrome in which the government is advised by ‘yes men.’ New ideas and constructive criticisms must be tolerated and used for positive improvements.
A National Toshaos Council (NTC) meeting should be urgently held to elect an executive and chart the way forward. Thereafter, statutory meetings must be held. One standing rule must be that the Chairperson of the NTC should not be seen to be politically aligned to any party. Also, a National Toshaos Council Secretariat (NTCS) should be activated urgently. This NTCS must also be seen to be not affiliated to any political party. Then regional secretariats should be activated in the hinterland regions. These secretariats should be given the role to facilitate LCDS activities and the implementation of projects in indigenous communities working in collaboration with the GRIF partner entities and the relevant government institutions and stakeholders.
One key pillar for the success of the LCDS is making the programme a Guyanese ‘thing.’ Another pillar is getting suitable leaders and managers for the jobs at hand. Already a rumour is circulating that after 2015 the LCDS will be scuttled. History and our future generations will not be gentle with us for allowing this magnificent opportunity to be wasted.
Yours faithfully,
Vincent Henry
