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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday September 10, 2015
Climate change stakeholders meet to craft plans for UN confab
At yesterday’s meeting at the Grand Coastal Inn. Seated from left at the head table are: Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman; former Presidential Adviser and Head of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Andrew Bishop; and Presidential Adviser on the Environment, Rear Admiral Gary Best servation International Guyana THE Department of Natural Resources and the Environment yesterday (Wednesday) held its National Stakeholders Consultation, in an effort to formulate Guyana’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) on Climate Change for presentation at the United Nations Change Conference in Paris, France in December. INDCs are key to the Paris climate agreement, in that they demonstrate a country’s intent to decarbonise their economies, and invest in resilience, the Ministry of the Presidency said in a release. The event was held at the Grand Coastal Inn, and
saw in attendance Adviser on the Environment Rear Admiral Gary Best; Minister of Governance with responsibility for Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE), Raphael Trotman; Permanent Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, Joslyn McKenzie; Adviser on Sustainable Development at NRE, Clayton Hall; Head of the Guyana Energy Agency, Dr. Mahender Sharma; and former Presidential Adviser and Head of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Andrew Bishop. Also in attendance were representatives of various organisations, such as the European Union (EU); Con-
(CIG); the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC); the Iwokrama International Centre; and the Guyana Human Rights’ Association (GHRA). Minister Trotman, who declared the discussion open, told the representatives that the engagement was not only timely, but also needed. Cabinet, he said, had mandated that a task force be set up to prepare Guyana for the conference in Paris, and that it was out of this task force that a draft document had come. To arrive at a final document, however, meant that a forum needed to be held so as to obtain comments, criticisms
Was there really a $20M heist at the hotel?
RECENT reports carried in some sections of the press on a multi- million dollar heist in the parking lot of a popular hotel on the East Bank of Demerara vary, and this is cause for concern in these times of escalating crime. Initial reports suggest that an elderly man was robbed of a whopping S20M in cash by a gang of men who escaped. There were no reports of shots fired or injuries to anyone. Here is where the matter gets complicated. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum advised that no such incident was reported to the Guyana Police Force and further that a check with the hotel management confirmed that no such robbery occurred. Interestingly, sources at the very hotel said that there indeed was a robbery there and that the amount stolen was $10M and that the entire episode
was recorded on the hotel’s surveillance cameras. With this critical informantion, it is expected that the police will secure this footage for examination towards a possible apprehension of the perpetrators. There is every likelihood that the alleged victim may not have wanted to file an official report or to be interviewed by the press as he may be asked by the authorities to account for having that large sum (whether $20M or $10M) in his possession. The hotel management, for its part, may have decided to keep the incident under wraps because of the expected adverse publicity for the hotel. Surely the police have to get to the alleged victim as well as the known character who reportedly handed over that large sum of money. It is strange how some person,
having had earlier and very serious brushes with the law and the courts, cannot seem to keep out of trouble. Now, are these large and mind–boggling sums of monies be a part of the landscape of the casinos? How are such sums acquired and how could they be spent so flippantly at casinos? I know this much, that anyone who earns his money the good, old fashioned way of hard work and paying taxes would not throw it away at the addictive gambling tables. It has long been established that casinos are used for a variety of questionable activities. More importantly, do we need casinos in Guyana? Maybe, it is time for a rethink? G.SOMAR
and suggestions on how the draft could have best been improved. According to the minister, it is always in the best interest of the country for national stakeholders to be allowed to give their input and advice on a matter of such importance. Said he: “We are happy that this engagement is taking place. All of you are well aware of the need for Guyana to have an Intended Nationally Determined Contribution. You are all well aware of matters of climate change and adaptation, and about upcoming meetings which culminate in December… “We felt that this should be brought here for you to give your input and take a position. You don’t have to agree; the important thing is that you have a position on the matter.” As PS McKenzie of the Department of Natural Resources observed in his presentation, climate change is one of the defining global challenges of our time, and poses a seri-
ous threat to the well-being of humanity and the security of peoples and States. Its adverse impacts, he said, are being felt by countries the world over, whether developed or developing, and as such the fight must be aggressive. Noting that it is in this regard that the INDC is crucial, McKenzie said: “The INDC should provide a clear signal to the general public, and of course the international community, that Guyana is fully committed to achieving the paradigm shift towards low-carbon and climate-resilient development. “The INDC needs to make a long-term commitment to this, making use of both domestic resources and international support… It is essential that Guyana’s INDCs be ambitious, while leading to transformation in the most carbon-intensive sectors and industries.” Stakeholders invited to participate in the forum shared
their thoughts on how best the document can be improved, and even pointed out areas which were not covered in the draft document. One such invitee was Shyam Nokta, a consultant, who was high in praise for the initiative, saying that the move by the government should be commended. “I want to thank the government for taking this initiative,” he said. “The draft presentation was excellent, and I think it covers a lot of critical areas as we move towards making a submission from Guyana.” Meanwhile, a participant named Bernard said that while the presentation was most informative, he was concerned that the initial process did not begin with consultations, and that a document was drafted before it was seen by the national stakeholders. “If we are going to combat climate change,” he said, “we need the support of everyone. It concerns me that this INDC has been drafted, but we are now coming together to sit as stakeholders.” He, however, conceded that he was pleased that there is a consultative process being conducted.
Participants of the National Consultation at the Grand Coastal Inn yesterday