Government Increases Allocation to Amerindian Communities
President Irfaan Ali at the opening of the 2024 NTC Conference DPI (Photo:).
Government Increases Allocation to Amerindian Communities
President Irfaan Ali said that the government has decided to increase the amount paid to the Amerindian communities due to a decline in revenue from carbon credit sales this year.
“This year, the total revenue received from carbon credit sales is US$87.5 million, less than last year. So the 15 percent to Amerindian communities should be less,’ Ali told the opening of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC).
“Because we are a government that cares for and loves you and believes in giving more, we have decided to allocate 26.5 percent of the earnings this year to Amerindian communities,” Ali said, noting that this would mean an estimated GUY$4.84 billion (One Guyana dollar=US$0.004 cents) directly transferred to Amerindian villages.
Background
Guyana’s low-carbon development strategy (2030) commits 15 percent of all revenues from carbon credit sales to Amerindian villages for investment in village development activities. In 2023, the country received US$150 million, and 15 percent meant that US$22.5 million had been allocated to the 242 Indigenous villages.
Recent Developments
In addition, seven indigenous villages received absolute grants and a Certificate of Title, with land titling and demarcation for their villages now complete.
Additionally, the Karasaibai District in Region Nine completed its demarcation survey last month and was promised certificates of title within a short period.
Government’s Commitment
Ali, in delivering the Certificate of Title to the Toshao, said, “I want to acknowledge that these grants and so on come with a lot of work; the surveying is not an easy task. It is a very, very dreadful task in some cases.
Ali said he had also asked Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh to examine ways to conduct small contracts for furniture and infrastructure in Indigenous communities.
“In the new program of works, all of that will come directly to you, and you will maximize the labor from your communities,” he added.
Conclusion
The government’s decision to increase the allocation to Amerindian communities is a positive step towards empowering these communities and promoting their development. The allocation of 26.5 percent of the earnings this year to Amerindian communities is a significant increase from the previous year’s allocation of 15 percent.
FAQs
Q: What is the total revenue received from carbon credit sales this year?
A: The total revenue received from carbon credit sales this year is US$87.5 million.
Q: What is the percentage of the earnings this year allocated to Amerindian communities?
A: The percentage of the earnings this year allocated to Amerindian communities is 26.5 percent.
Q: What is the estimated amount to be directly transferred to Amerindian villages?
A: The estimated amount to be directly transferred to Amerindian villages is GUY$4.84 billion (One Guyana dollar=US$0.004 cents).