| In keeping with Guyana’s green economy efforts, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) yesterday signed a Memorandum of UnderstandingMinister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, and Vice President, Sydney Allicock and Minister in the Ministry Valerie Garrido-Lowe, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, Head of Conservation International, David Singh and GGDMA’s Chairman Patrick Harding at the signing of the MOU(MOU) with Conservation International Foundation Inc.This signing, according to a Government release, was done yesterday at Conservation International on Robb Street, and aims to enhance sustainable development of Indigenous Villages, and develop viable practices within the mining industry.Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, and Vice President, Sydney Allicock; Minister in the Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe; Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; Head of Conservation International, David Singh and GGDMA’s Chairman Patrick Harding were among those present at the signing.The MOU with the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry seeks to form the framework for collaboration between the two entities in areas of mutual interest, towards the enabling of green economic growth and development.Minister Allicock said that he was pleased to be associated with Conservation International, which he described as a distinguished association. “We are now confident that we have a partner that could help us to ensure that we have an environment that will be there for generations to come,” Minister Allicock said.The Minister explained that the environment is important to the indigenous people, and that they (the indigenous people) have many things to impart when it comes to the natural laws.“The natural laws are real, and I am happy that we can have an organisation that will allow us that opportunity to work together to find answers to the many issues that we have out there in the natural world, and more so for including the Indigenous peoples’ in national development,” he noted.Meanwhile, the MOU with GGDMA will see some US$5.7M funding from the Norwegian Society being split between Guyana and Peru to tackle the environmental challenges that come with mining. Some US$3M of the total amount will be invested in Guyana.This collaboration will complement the GGDMA’s efforts to not only extract the wealth of Guyana, but to do so in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.Minister Trotman said that apart from the MOU, the GGDMA has been working with other bodies to improve mining practices to better their techniques and ensure that there is less damage to the environment.“At the end of the day, we are looking at preserving that patrimony of Guyana so that generations to come can enjoy the benefits in the same way that we are enjoying them,’ the Minister emphasised.He noted that, this event was a fitting one because it heralded the coming of a better way in which the entities can achieve their objectives, that is through conservation,Cheap NFL Jerseys, as well as safe mining of the country’s resources.Meanwhile Conservation International’s Head, David Singh explained that the signing offers the opportunity for linkages between the private sector and government, which are very important for the execution of the projects catered for under the MOU.There will also be round table discussions at the local level looking at integrated natural resources management. Subsequently, evidence based solutions will be developed to influence policy. |
