PRESS RELEASE
GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The Ministry of Natural Resources on Thursday December 1, 2016 launched its Corporate Social Responsibility Framework 2017-2020 which outlines a number of areas corporate partners can invest in to the benefit of the communities within which they operate.
The launch took place at Herdmanston Lodge and saw a wide cross section of corporate Guyana and civil society turning out to witness the event. Present were a number of companies and associations in the forestry, mining and petroleum sectors, including Vaitarna Holdings Pvt Ltd, Puruni Woods, the Forest Products Association, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association, Guyana Shield Resources Inc., Japarts, RMC Silica, Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas Inc. and Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Ltd.
Remarks made by Minister of Natural Resources Honourable Raphael G.C. Trotman, M.P., focused on the value of partnerships in making the level of impact that is needed to move our country forward. Companies were reminded that there is a need for a wider cross-section of citizens to enjoy the right to their national patrimony and participate and benefit therefrom. As such, companies have a legal and ethical responsibility to provide services directly or indirectly to the communities they encounter in their operations.
Consultant, Ms. Sharissa Craig, explained in her presentation that the proposed activities contained in the document were drawn from engagements with various stakeholders including youth, on the development needs and priorities in Guyana.
While the projects will target natural resources industries, it is not restricted to just those entities and the whole of corporate Guyana is encouraged to take up the challenge of making communities better.
There have been many instances of companies in the extractive sector being good corporate citizens, however, it was observed that a more streamlined approach to corporate social responsibility was needed to ensure the greatest impact in the lives of those in the communities served by such entities.
This is of greater importance now that Guyana has placed itself on a green economy trajectory including the sustainable management of its natural resources.
The Framework therefore gives guidance on how companies, particularly those in the extractive industries sector, can make a tangible contribution to the development of all Guyanese.
The four (4) priority areas of focus for demonstration of corporate social responsibility are ‘Greening Guyana – Communities at Peace’, ‘Youth in Natural Resources’, ‘Land Restoration Initiative’ and the ‘Green Business Development Fund’.
The Greening Guyana – Communities at Peace initiative aims to support the green development agenda at the community level in mining and newly established towns across Guyana.
This is necessary because of the absence of well-kept community recreational spaces resulting in a loss of the ownership and a diminished sense of harmony and belonging to the community.
The Youth in Natural Resources initiative is designed to increase youth representation and participation in the natural resources sector.
As such the initiative seeks to provide opportunities for training in high demand areas as determined by the industries themselves. It will also seek to strengthen pathways for out of school youth to formally enter the workforce.
The Land Reclamation Initiative is intended to support ongoing efforts to enhance land reclamation and restoration in mining districts and also to reduce land and forest degradation. In a bid to support the land reclamation and restoration efforts of the Government of Guyana, the Land Restoration Initiative will establish or resuscitate plant nurseries in the six mining districts in Regions 1, 6, 7, 9 and 10.
The Green Business Development Fund’s aim is to stimulate the green business sector and demonstrate how the private sector can support environmental conservation and the establishment of Guyana’s green economy.
Some of the other initiatives that are currently ongoing but require additional support are Youth Development through Sport, Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Night School, Protecting Guyana’s Natural Heritage, and Tackling Drought in Region 9 Communities.
Persons or companies interested in further information may contact Ms. Lourianne Pluck, Corporate Liaison Officer of the Ministry of Natural Resources by email at lpluck@nre.gov.gy or telephone on 592 231-2506-11ext. 204.
December 2, 2016
