Guyana Human Rights Association
Executive Committee
September 26 2007
PRESS RELEASE
GFC Investigation of Itself Unacceptable
The announcement today by the Ministry of Agriculture of an internal
investigation by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) into
under-pricing and false declarations of timber products is an
unacceptable and inadequate response to allegations of irregular,
illegal and corrupt activities taking place in this sector. Two minimum
conditions for the credibility of the investigation is the temporary
suspension of Forestry Commissioner, James Singh, and the appointment
of independent investigators.
In addition to under-pricing, the past decade has seen a catalogue of
dubious and illegal mis-management including over-logging of prime
species, ‘land-lording’ of concessions, non-payment of revenues, labour
exploitation of indigenous people, reverse buy-outs disguising true
ownership, preference for foreign over Guyanese labour, and destruction
of national and Amerindian forest assets.
Whether Commissioner Singh may be involved in any of the activities
under investigation is not the point. He has presided over a key
statutory Body over the period of years this catalogue of accusations
has accumulated. The announced investigation is not the result of
internal GFC zeal, but external pressure from national and
international agencies and activists outraged by the irresponsible
plundering of Guyana’s forests. Yesterday’s announcement confirms this
by referring to the GFC unearthing suspicious findings when it started
to conduct checks on records for the past three months.
This is not a recent problem. As long ago as 1994, sixty-one local and
international signatories including virtually every major environmental
network and agency on the planet wrote to the Government of Guyana and
all donor agencies on the occasion of the World Bank Advisory Group
Meeting in Guyana . That statement urged that:
“ The Government freeze the handing out of logging concessions and
institutes a Commission of Inquiry into the performance of the
industry. As well as reviewing the effects on Amerindians, paying
special attention to their land rights, the Commission should make
public the content and extent of all Timber Sales Agreements and
logging concessions, assess the conditions of the labour force in
forest operations and establish to what extent the Forestry Commission
is able to ensure effective forest management”
The statement also quoted Stabroek News of October 29, 1993, to the
effect that “the Agency clearly is unable to perform its functions…it
is largely unable to collect the fees it is due and unable to enforce
planning requirements and environmental safeguards.”
Such terms of reference for an independent Commission of Inquiry remain
even more valid today than when first formulated and should replace the
proposed investigation.
The recent dismissal of a Deputy Commissioner of the GFC is a trivial
response to the scale of the problem. The nation deserves adequate
assurance that its ancient forests are receiving the protection they
require. The Ministry’s release refers to under-declaration and
pricing of logs, which is a short-term loss of revenue to the nation.
It remains silent on the irrevocable damage to the global environment
this plundering represents.
President Jagdeo is currently lobbying world leaders gathered at the UN
in New York to discuss climate change and carbon credits. His arguments
that nations, like Guyana, which have not squandered their forest
patrimony deserve more equitable financial support, would be further
strengthened by a vigorous and impartial inquiry.
Guyana Human Rights Association
Executive Committee
September 26 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Major forestry breaches probe underway -GFC
http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article?id=56529634
Major forestry breaches probe underway -GFC
Stabroek News, Wednesday, September 26th 2007
Major forestry breaches probe underway -GFC
Stabroek News, Wednesday, September 26th 2007
The Guyana Forestry Com-mission (GFC) is in the process of conducting
an investigation into several logging companies after instanc-es of
under declaration of forest produce and false declarations as to the
origin of those produce were unearthed.
According to Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud yesterday, the GFC
in a letter on Monday advised him that on the basis of monitoring
activities and further investigation by the GFC's Internal Audit Unit,
there is preliminary evidence to suggest that several forest companies
may be guilty of the breaches.
The Minister in a statement said that the breaches, if verified by the
investigation, will have implications for the GFC's revenue, tax
concessions issued to companies by the Government, and the GFC staff
members at the locations.
The GFC is expected to provide the Minister of Agriculture with an
update on the status of the investigation by October 10.
According to Commis-sioner of Forests James Singh, depending on the
severity of the offences, the penalties may include revocation of
licences, suspension or a fine. Persaud said that the maximum penalties
will be applied upon the conclusion of the investigation. The Minister
said too that the GFC has looked at about three months of evidence to
arrive at its preliminary conclusions.
The Minister and the Forestry Commissioner both agreed that the
breaches were outside of the allowable arrangement where one company is
allowed to harvest from another's concession.
Of late, the GFC and the Ministry of Agriculture have been taking the
fight to the sector, suspending some company's trading privileges and
concessions for their failing to live up to their end of agreements
signed for value adding.
The GFC has also stepped up internal controls and recently fired a
senior officer for alleged breach of procedure. A junior officer was
also disciplined in this instance. A slew of new regulations in the
forestry sector, including downstream processing, will come into force
in January 2008.
The action by the regulatory body comes amid an intense campaign waged
in the media by several civil society activists - in particular -
Janette Bulkan over fairness in the forestry industry.
Questions have been raised about whether there is transfer pricing in
the export of logs from the country, whether there is over-logging of
certain prime species, whether there is unauthorized `land-lording' of
concessions and whether all the revenue due to the state is being paid
over.
The transfer of ownership between companies and whether they shouldn't
be engaged in more downstream processing activities are other questions
that have been raised.
The stream of benefits to the country as compared to the fiscal
concessions granted to various companies has also come under scrutiny.
The forestry commission and the Agriculture Ministry have come under
pressure to provide answers to these questions.
Ironic Panamanian ship carrying Chinese name
Ironic Panamanian ship carrying Chinese name
Guyana Chronicle, 26 September 2007
How ironic that the Panamanian registered ship loading logs of Guyanese
fine furniture timbers from Barama's barge in the Demerara River on
September 22, 2007 should be carrying the Chinese name "Benefit
Wisdom".
If this is how the new CEO of Barama, Peter Ho, is starting his career
in Guyana, let us hope that the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Customs
Administration of the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Minister of
Agriculture have ensured that the export paperwork is in order and that
Barama's promised local investment in timber processing is on schedule;
as promised publicly by the Minister on December 8, 2006.
Oh, I forgot. That investment was promised by Barama in 1999.
Mahadeo Kowlessar
Guyana Chronicle, 26 September 2007
How ironic that the Panamanian registered ship loading logs of Guyanese
fine furniture timbers from Barama's barge in the Demerara River on
September 22, 2007 should be carrying the Chinese name "Benefit
Wisdom".
If this is how the new CEO of Barama, Peter Ho, is starting his career
in Guyana, let us hope that the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Customs
Administration of the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Minister of
Agriculture have ensured that the export paperwork is in order and that
Barama's promised local investment in timber processing is on schedule;
as promised publicly by the Minister on December 8, 2006.
Oh, I forgot. That investment was promised by Barama in 1999.
Mahadeo Kowlessar
False declarations by logging companies under scrutiny
False declarations by logging companies under scrutiny
Guyana Chronicle, 26 September 2007
http://www.guyanachronicle.com/topstory.html#Anchor-False%20de-37617
Several forestry companies operating locally are currently under
scrutiny for under declaration of produce harvested as well as the
locations from which they were harvested.
Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud said yesterday that
investigations have been launched into breaches of a “very serious”
nature within the sector following recent discoveries made by the
Internal Audit Unit of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).
He said that these breaches, if verified will have serious implications
for GFCs revenue; for tax concessions issued to these companies by the
government and for the GFC staff members at the locations.
The investigation is at the moment being headed by selected Officers of
the GFC as well as members of the Internal Audit Department but may
involve other parties such as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) if the
basis for such an additional intervention is found.
The investigative team is expected to present a preliminary report to
the Minister of Agriculture by October 10.
Persaud made the disclosures during a press conference also attended by
Commissioner of Forests, Mr. James Singh whom the minister credited
with breaking the news about the suspected scams.
Singh had drawn his attention to the suspected breaches by way of a
letter sent on Monday last, Persaud said.
The under declaration of forest produce harvested robs the GFC of
revenue from Guyana’s forestry resources, while false declarations as
to the origins of the harvested produce seek to hide real abuses of
these resources by the culprits, Singh said.
He stressed that the loggers are given permits for clearly defined
geographical areas and exploitation of resources elsewhere amounted to
a very serious breach of the Forestry Regulations.
Companies found guilty of these breaches are liable to heavy monetary
fines and/or suspension or revocation of their licences.
The Commissioner said that the information which had triggered the
suspicions of the GFC’s Internal Audit had been amassed over the past
two months.
Those under scrutiny are the companies which have been granted large
scale permits by Government to harvest forestry products, many of them
foreign owned.
The investigation will also target staffers of the GFC who are on the
ground and whose duty it is to ensure that the regulations are adhered
to.
He added that it was possible that this type of activity had been
ongoing for much longer and the investigators would consider that
possibility even if it meant pushing back the original October 10
deadline for a report to a slightly later date.
Persaud also announced that there will be major changes next year as
the Ministry and the Commission fine tunes its arrangements for
ensuring that Guyana gets its proper dues from those exploiting its
forestry resources.
He stressed yesterday that arrangements which allow for joint
operations in the industry will be the first to be abolished. (Clifford
Stanley)
Guyana Chronicle, 26 September 2007
http://www.guyanachronicle.com
Several forestry companies operating locally are currently under
scrutiny for under declaration of produce harvested as well as the
locations from which they were harvested.
Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud said yesterday that
investigations have been launched into breaches of a “very serious”
nature within the sector following recent discoveries made by the
Internal Audit Unit of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).
He said that these breaches, if verified will have serious implications
for GFCs revenue; for tax concessions issued to these companies by the
government and for the GFC staff members at the locations.
The investigation is at the moment being headed by selected Officers of
the GFC as well as members of the Internal Audit Department but may
involve other parties such as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) if the
basis for such an additional intervention is found.
The investigative team is expected to present a preliminary report to
the Minister of Agriculture by October 10.
Persaud made the disclosures during a press conference also attended by
Commissioner of Forests, Mr. James Singh whom the minister credited
with breaking the news about the suspected scams.
Singh had drawn his attention to the suspected breaches by way of a
letter sent on Monday last, Persaud said.
The under declaration of forest produce harvested robs the GFC of
revenue from Guyana’s forestry resources, while false declarations as
to the origins of the harvested produce seek to hide real abuses of
these resources by the culprits, Singh said.
He stressed that the loggers are given permits for clearly defined
geographical areas and exploitation of resources elsewhere amounted to
a very serious breach of the Forestry Regulations.
Companies found guilty of these breaches are liable to heavy monetary
fines and/or suspension or revocation of their licences.
The Commissioner said that the information which had triggered the
suspicions of the GFC’s Internal Audit had been amassed over the past
two months.
Those under scrutiny are the companies which have been granted large
scale permits by Government to harvest forestry products, many of them
foreign owned.
The investigation will also target staffers of the GFC who are on the
ground and whose duty it is to ensure that the regulations are adhered
to.
He added that it was possible that this type of activity had been
ongoing for much longer and the investigators would consider that
possibility even if it meant pushing back the original October 10
deadline for a report to a slightly later date.
Persaud also announced that there will be major changes next year as
the Ministry and the Commission fine tunes its arrangements for
ensuring that Guyana gets its proper dues from those exploiting its
forestry resources.
He stressed yesterday that arrangements which allow for joint
operations in the industry will be the first to be abolished. (Clifford
Stanley)
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Ensure Barama's compliance!
Ensure Barama's compliance!
Kaieteur News, 25 September 2007
Dear Editor,
How ironic that the Panamanian registered ship loading logs of Guyanese
fine furniture timbers from Barama's barge in the Demerara River on
September 22, 2007 should be carrying the Chinese name “Benefit
Wisdom”.
If this is how the new CEO of Barama, Peter Ho, is starting his career
in Guyana, let us hope that the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Customs
Administration of the Guyana Revenue Authority, and the Minister of
Agriculture have ensured that the export paperwork is all in order and
that Barama's promised local investment in timber processing is on
schedule; as promised publicly by the Minister on December 8, 2006.
Oh, I forgot. That investment was promised by Barama in 1999.
Mahadeo Kowlessar
Kaieteur News, 25 September 2007
Dear Editor,
How ironic that the Panamanian registered ship loading logs of Guyanese
fine furniture timbers from Barama's barge in the Demerara River on
September 22, 2007 should be carrying the Chinese name “Benefit
Wisdom”.
If this is how the new CEO of Barama, Peter Ho, is starting his career
in Guyana, let us hope that the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Customs
Administration of the Guyana Revenue Authority, and the Minister of
Agriculture have ensured that the export paperwork is all in order and
that Barama's promised local investment in timber processing is on
schedule; as promised publicly by the Minister on December 8, 2006.
Oh, I forgot. That investment was promised by Barama in 1999.
Mahadeo Kowlessar
StrataGold aggressively pursuing Guyana projects
StrataGold aggressively pursuing Guyana projects
Kaieteur News, 25 September 2007
Canadian Company, StrataGold plans to aggressively pursue its Tassawini
project in Region One (Barima/Waini).
While the project deposit resource estimate reported earlier this year
fell short of expectations in terms of size, the company projects that
those deposits represent only a small portion of the known gold targets
on the Tassawini and Anaturi Prospecting Licenses (PLs).
President and CEO, Terry Tucker says that with this resource estimate
as a strong starting point, geologists have taken the opportunity to
reinterpret the geological and exploration model.
“We have applied advanced exploration methods to gain a better
understanding of the numerous gold anomalies on the Tassawini and
Anaturi PLs and how best to advance the exploration of these
prospects,” Tucker stated. He said this exploration work has already
been successful with the discovery of a saprolitic gold target at Sonne
North and South, located less than one kilometre away from the
Tassawini deposit.
Drilling at this time, he said, continues to focus in the immediate
vicinity of the Tassawini deposit which remains open and new areas that
have been defined by induced polarization (IP) ground geophysical
surveys, soil sampling, trenching and drilling programs.
According to Tucker, nine separate combined geophysical/gold soil
geochemical anomalies are presently being tested on the PLs.
“The drills are turning and we will continue drilling until December.
It is planned to update the resource estimate in the future upon
completion of sufficient drilling,” Tucker noted.
StrataGold signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in August of this
year with the Amerindian community of Chinese Landing, located adjacent
to the Tassawini project.
Tucker said that to the best of the company's knowledge, the MoU
represents the first comprehensive agreement signed between a company
and an Amerindian community in the history of mining and exploration in
Guyana .
“The MoU underpins StrataGold's efforts to move towards a gold mining
operation at Tassawini while assisting the community in addressing
social, cultural and environmental needs,” Tucker stated.
On the district scale in Guyana , the company's exploration efforts
have also resulted in a new discovery on the Monosse Project, a 50/50
joint venture with Newmont Overseas Exploration Limited.
Drilling has commenced following recently completed ground geophysical
and geochemical surveys, mapping and trenching programs conducted over
the past four months.
Tassawini is an advanced stage gold exploration property centered on
the site of the former producing Tassawini Gold Mine where, between
1907 and 1914, an estimated 11,200 ounces of gold were recovered.
Prior to acquisition, the property was subject to extensive exploration
estimated to have cost over US$10 million.
StrataGold is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition,
exploration and development of mineral properties in the Yukon , Canada
and Guyana .
The company is currently focusing its exploration activities on gold,
and holds interest in seven properties in the Yukon , two properties in
Ontario , Canada , as well as one gold property and a reconnaissance
permit in Guyana .
Kaieteur News, 25 September 2007
Canadian Company, StrataGold plans to aggressively pursue its Tassawini
project in Region One (Barima/Waini).
While the project deposit resource estimate reported earlier this year
fell short of expectations in terms of size, the company projects that
those deposits represent only a small portion of the known gold targets
on the Tassawini and Anaturi Prospecting Licenses (PLs).
President and CEO, Terry Tucker says that with this resource estimate
as a strong starting point, geologists have taken the opportunity to
reinterpret the geological and exploration model.
“We have applied advanced exploration methods to gain a better
understanding of the numerous gold anomalies on the Tassawini and
Anaturi PLs and how best to advance the exploration of these
prospects,” Tucker stated. He said this exploration work has already
been successful with the discovery of a saprolitic gold target at Sonne
North and South, located less than one kilometre away from the
Tassawini deposit.
Drilling at this time, he said, continues to focus in the immediate
vicinity of the Tassawini deposit which remains open and new areas that
have been defined by induced polarization (IP) ground geophysical
surveys, soil sampling, trenching and drilling programs.
According to Tucker, nine separate combined geophysical/gold soil
geochemical anomalies are presently being tested on the PLs.
“The drills are turning and we will continue drilling until December.
It is planned to update the resource estimate in the future upon
completion of sufficient drilling,” Tucker noted.
StrataGold signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in August of this
year with the Amerindian community of Chinese Landing, located adjacent
to the Tassawini project.
Tucker said that to the best of the company's knowledge, the MoU
represents the first comprehensive agreement signed between a company
and an Amerindian community in the history of mining and exploration in
Guyana .
“The MoU underpins StrataGold's efforts to move towards a gold mining
operation at Tassawini while assisting the community in addressing
social, cultural and environmental needs,” Tucker stated.
On the district scale in Guyana , the company's exploration efforts
have also resulted in a new discovery on the Monosse Project, a 50/50
joint venture with Newmont Overseas Exploration Limited.
Drilling has commenced following recently completed ground geophysical
and geochemical surveys, mapping and trenching programs conducted over
the past four months.
Tassawini is an advanced stage gold exploration property centered on
the site of the former producing Tassawini Gold Mine where, between
1907 and 1914, an estimated 11,200 ounces of gold were recovered.
Prior to acquisition, the property was subject to extensive exploration
estimated to have cost over US$10 million.
StrataGold is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition,
exploration and development of mineral properties in the Yukon , Canada
and Guyana .
The company is currently focusing its exploration activities on gold,
and holds interest in seven properties in the Yukon , two properties in
Ontario , Canada , as well as one gold property and a reconnaissance
permit in Guyana .
Historic Bio Conference commences - Guyanese urged to take full advantage
Historic Bio Conference commences
- Guyanese urged to take full advantage
Kaieteur News, 25 September 2007
The historic two-day International Conference on the Status of
Biological Sciences in Caribbean and Latin American Societies commenced
yesterday at the Buddy's International Hotel, Providence, featuring
internationally acclaimed biologists from around the world and from the
local university.
Dr. Mohammed Saquib, Head of the Biology Department of the University
of Guyana and Organizing Chair of proceedings, said that the event
provides Guyana with the opportunity to discuss and reassess the
diverse activities in biological sciences in our sub-region.
He stated that as economies and societies worldwide wrestle with
sustainable development in the context of limited natural resources and
harsh international economic conditions, the role of developments in
the biological sciences need constant assessment and re-evaluation.
Further, Saquib stated that as a small developing country, Guyana has
rich but relatively underdeveloped natural resources, along with an
astounding biodiversity worthy of international attention.
“We hope that this conference will serve as a stimulating forum for
fruitful deliberations, intellectual challenges and exposure to the
biological sciences as well as the technological and industrial
activities in Guyana , deriving from biodiversity and biological
innovations,” he said.
Additionally, the conference, which ends today, will seek to address
key thematic areas and generate discussions and networking thereafter.
Saquib said that the University of Guyana will seek to use this
opportunity to establish international linkages for mutually rewarding
research collaborations to facilitate Guyana 's competitiveness in the
new bio-economy.
Personnel from biology labs from across the world, including countries
like Belgium , the United States , Canada , and Trinidad and Tobago ,
along with several other countries, are represented at the conference.
In a statement issued by President Bharrat Jagdeo, delivered by Prime
Minster Samuel Hinds, it was noted that understanding the status of
biological sciences is most necessary for conservation and sustainable
utilization of the region's rich biological diversity.
In the statement, the president appeals to the scientific community and
all disciplines in the University of Guyana to take full advantage of
the historic international conference and to develop strong links with
visiting participants and their institutions.
It was highlighted that Guyana has made available to the international
community approximately one million acres of untouched tropical
rainforest to serve as a living laboratory for scientific approaches to
sustainable forest management.
Also, it was mentioned at the conference's opening ceremony yesterday
that Guyana's natural ecosystems are under great pressure from the
impact of advanced technologies used in development activities
producing a wide range of goods and services.
“We are challenged therefore to better understand the science of our
ecosystem diversity and species diversity, in order to provide the
necessary guidelines for development activities which impact negatively
on the integrity of our biodiversity.”
Moreover, it was stated that Guyana and the region as a whole must keep
abreast with the rapid advances globally in Biological Sciences.
Topics covered in yesterday's symposium included an in-depth paper
presentation on environmental science along with overviews of other
related topics.
The activities will continue through to today where it is expected to
feature other paper presentations on biodiversity and Natural Resource
Management, along with a plenary session.
(Alex Holder)
- Guyanese urged to take full advantage
Kaieteur News, 25 September 2007
The historic two-day International Conference on the Status of
Biological Sciences in Caribbean and Latin American Societies commenced
yesterday at the Buddy's International Hotel, Providence, featuring
internationally acclaimed biologists from around the world and from the
local university.
Dr. Mohammed Saquib, Head of the Biology Department of the University
of Guyana and Organizing Chair of proceedings, said that the event
provides Guyana with the opportunity to discuss and reassess the
diverse activities in biological sciences in our sub-region.
He stated that as economies and societies worldwide wrestle with
sustainable development in the context of limited natural resources and
harsh international economic conditions, the role of developments in
the biological sciences need constant assessment and re-evaluation.
Further, Saquib stated that as a small developing country, Guyana has
rich but relatively underdeveloped natural resources, along with an
astounding biodiversity worthy of international attention.
“We hope that this conference will serve as a stimulating forum for
fruitful deliberations, intellectual challenges and exposure to the
biological sciences as well as the technological and industrial
activities in Guyana , deriving from biodiversity and biological
innovations,” he said.
Additionally, the conference, which ends today, will seek to address
key thematic areas and generate discussions and networking thereafter.
Saquib said that the University of Guyana will seek to use this
opportunity to establish international linkages for mutually rewarding
research collaborations to facilitate Guyana 's competitiveness in the
new bio-economy.
Personnel from biology labs from across the world, including countries
like Belgium , the United States , Canada , and Trinidad and Tobago ,
along with several other countries, are represented at the conference.
In a statement issued by President Bharrat Jagdeo, delivered by Prime
Minster Samuel Hinds, it was noted that understanding the status of
biological sciences is most necessary for conservation and sustainable
utilization of the region's rich biological diversity.
In the statement, the president appeals to the scientific community and
all disciplines in the University of Guyana to take full advantage of
the historic international conference and to develop strong links with
visiting participants and their institutions.
It was highlighted that Guyana has made available to the international
community approximately one million acres of untouched tropical
rainforest to serve as a living laboratory for scientific approaches to
sustainable forest management.
Also, it was mentioned at the conference's opening ceremony yesterday
that Guyana's natural ecosystems are under great pressure from the
impact of advanced technologies used in development activities
producing a wide range of goods and services.
“We are challenged therefore to better understand the science of our
ecosystem diversity and species diversity, in order to provide the
necessary guidelines for development activities which impact negatively
on the integrity of our biodiversity.”
Moreover, it was stated that Guyana and the region as a whole must keep
abreast with the rapid advances globally in Biological Sciences.
Topics covered in yesterday's symposium included an in-depth paper
presentation on environmental science along with overviews of other
related topics.
The activities will continue through to today where it is expected to
feature other paper presentations on biodiversity and Natural Resource
Management, along with a plenary session.
(Alex Holder)
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