Pact signed for Phase Three of protected areas system

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presi-dency, Abena Moore (left) and Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission,  Denise Fraser signing the agreement in the Boardroom of the Ministry of the Presidency. (Ministry of the Presidency photo)
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presi-dency, Abena Moore (left) and Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission, Denise Fraser signing the agreement in the Boardroom of the Ministry of the Presidency. (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

The National Protected Areas System (NAPS) is set to benefit from 4.8 million Euros in development following the signing of a Project Finance Agreement between the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) and the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP), on August 7, 2019.

The monies which were made available by the KfW Entwicklungsbank (German Development Bank) will fund the implementation of the Guyana Protected Areas System Phase III (GPAS III).

According to a press statement from the Ministry the project focuses on supporting the development of infrastructure in three protected areas in Guyana. Specifically a new Guest House at the Kaieteur National Park; Ranger stations and outposts at the Shell Beach Protected Area, Kanuku Mountains Protected Area and the Kaieteur National Park along with offices at Lethem and in Barima-Waini (Region One) will be constructed.

Also catered for is community resource use (including livelihood related projects) and capacity building for effective management of the protected areas.

“With the continued support and cooperation between the KfW, the MoTP and the PAC, Guyana will move closer towards the Commission’s vision of a world class protected areas system that protects nature and improves lives,” the statement notes adding that Guyana has already benefited from technical and financial support for the development of the NPAS under two phases of the project, which are expected to be completed by 2022.

The agreement was signed by Commissioner of the PAC Denise Fraser, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Abena Moore while PAC Administrative Director Denise Bentinck and Technical Officer, Ministry of the Presidency Natasha Ramdas witnessed the signing.