Management of Natural Resources and Environmental sectors examined by Parliamentary Sub-Committee
The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment was recently invited by the Chairman and Members of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Natural Resources to examine the management and functioning of the naturalre sources and environmental sectors.
The meeting which was convened at Parliament Building was chaired by Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, MP and witnessed a presentation by the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud who was accompanied by senior managers of the various agencies under his Ministry’s portfolio.
Joslyn McKenzie, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment and Newell Dennison, Deputy Commissioner, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission
Minister Persaud during his presentation re-emphasised that the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment was established out of a direct desire to harmonise and have better coordination of the natural resources and environmental sectors and agencies.
He also pointed out that the mission statement of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment is to facilitate clearly the effective management and development of Guyana’s resources through improved policy making, inter-agency co-ordination, administration and based on the principles of environment, economic and social sustainability for the ultimate benefit of all Guyanese.
In an effort to improve governance and management of the natural resources and environmental sectors, several pieces of legislation and regulations are already before the National Assembly, while others are being reviewed, he added.
Further, the Natural Resources and the Environmental Minister updated members of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on the developments that are taking place in environmental and wildlife management, mining and forestry and protected areas and land administration.
Notwithstanding, Mr. Joseph Harmon, MP, APNU sought to clarify whetherit is a conflict of interest to have the environment and natural resources sectors managed by one ministry. However, Minister Persaud assured the meeting that the current management of the various sectors allowsfor greater collaboration and co-ordination. The current dispensation, he said, has improved the level of interaction of severalagencies to share technical expertise and resources.
The meeting concluded after several clarifications regarding the mandate and management of the Ministry were sought by the Chairman and Members of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Natural Resources.
Meanwhile, Dr. Roopnarine and Mr. Harmon expressed satisfaction with the presentation by Minister Persaud and the work of the natural resources and environment agencies and indicated that the Committee looks forward to the submission of additional reports and future engagements.