The government is moving to strengthen the operations of small loggers and firewood cutters on the East Bank of Berbice, with plans to reorganise their association, expand its forestry concession and create new opportunities for economic activity.
Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat made the announcement during a meeting with loggers and residents of Mara on Friday, following a commitment he made during a recent engagement with loggers at the Guyana Forestry Commission’s New Amsterdam station.
Minister Bharrat said the meeting identified several challenges affecting the sector, with many centred on the functioning of the existing association and the need for greater cooperation among its members.
“We have agreed on a number of ways forward in which we’re going to address some of the challenges and issues. However, most of the challenges that exist among them revolve basically around the functioning of the association and members of the association working together,” the minister said.
He noted that the association had reportedly not renewed its concession for the past two years, while concerns were also raised regarding the distribution of taxes collected by the association and the absence of regular meetings and elections.
As an immediate step, the Guyana Forestry Commission will meet with the firewood association and the other small associations operating on the East Bank of Berbice on September 27 in Mara to facilitate the formation of a new East Bank association and the election of an executive team.
“After that is done, we made a commitment that we can extend the concession that they presently hold,” Minister Bharrat explained.
The existing association currently holds approximately 8,500 acres, with the government proposing an additional 5,000 acres to accommodate the growth in membership and allow more persons to benefit from the concession.
Beyond forestry, the minister has also proposed that the association explore opportunities in the mining sector.
He said consideration will be given to working with the association towards a medium-scale mining block, allowing interested members to pursue mining alongside their logging activities.
The government is also seeking to expand the economic opportunities available to residents through skills training and value-added production.
Minister Bharrat announced plans for the establishment of a full-fledged furniture-making facility on the East Bank of Berbice, with training to be provided by the Guyana Forestry Commission.
Residents will be trained to produce items including school furniture, wardrobes, cabinets and kitchen cupboards, creating opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship.
Additionally, a jewellery-making course is expected to be brought to Berbice before the end of the year, which will be provided free of cost, is intended to equip interested persons with skills in jewellery making and provide pathways towards becoming registered entrepreneurs or securing employment with established jewellery businesses.
The minister said the initiatives form part of efforts to broaden the economic benefits available to communities whose livelihoods are traditionally centred on farming and forestry.
“I’m very pleased with the outcome. I’m very pleased with the momentum that we had today and the feedback as well from residents and loggers,” he said.
The initiatives are expected to provide residents with opportunities to move beyond the sale of raw timber and diversify their income through furniture production, mining and jewellery-making.