Press Release 02 December 2004

Leaders of the North Rupununi Communities Meet With President Jagdeo to Assert Support for Iwokrama

Georgetown, Guyana - Yesterday afternoon, 20 leaders from the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB), representing the 14 communities of the North Rupununi*, attended a two-hour emergency meeting with President Jagdeo.

The leaders traveled to Georgetown to meet with the President, the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rudy Insanally, Iwokrama Board members, and Iwokrama senior staff to discuss the future of Iwokrama. The mobilization of the full complement of NRDDB leaders at such short notice is indicative of the concern shown by local communities for any possible demise of Iwokrama.

The communities expressed concerns about Iwokrama's financial status and requested the Government of Guyana help address the existing shortfall in funding of US$300,000 to keep Iwokrama operational until other resources become available in mid-2005.

Leaders stressed to President Jagdeo the importance of Iwokrama's work in regard to several key issues affecting the overall future of the North Rupununi. These include: Iwokrama's role in conservation of the globally significant Rupununi Wetlands through its recent agreements with the NRDDB and Conservation International-Guyana; recent Government approval of the Arapaima management plan submitted by the North Rupununi Fishermen and Iwokrama; and Iwokrama's role in coordinating collaborative mechanisms for management and increased security along the local stretch of the Georgetown-Lethem Road .

Leaders also indicated that for the local communities, Iwokrama represents an approach to development that can help communities escape from poverty while ensuring the conservation of critical forest resources. The communities were hopeful that the President would become more involved in supporting Iwokrama's operations in Guyana through providing his full backing for financing Iwokrama's continuation.

The leaders from the 14 communities said they were very happy with the depth of concern expressed by the President during the meeting and further articulated the need to develop more partnerships involving communities, Government, NGO's and private sector in the sustainable development of the North Rupununi and Guyana's interior. They commented, "we're all very relieved in our minds and we will continue to work hand in hand with the Government, Iwokrama and other stakeholders in the future."

During the meeting, community leaders also expressed concerns about unregulated fishing and mining in the North Rupununi and areas bordering the Iwokrama Forest, and requested that the Government take pro-active action to address these concerns. In recognition of the important development work of the NRDDB, the Government of Guyana began, in October 2004, providing financial support to the Bina Hill Institute for Research, Training and Development in Annai.

The largest non-government employer in the North Rupununi, Iwokrama presently contributes US$10,000 per month in direct employment benefits to local communities. About 30 full-time residents and 25 seasonal part-time residents of the North Rupununi are employed by Iwokrama. Planned expansion through private sector partnerships in timber, tourism, and training services will lead to employment of over 75 persons from Regions 8, 9 and possibly 10.

* The communities of the NRDDB are: Annai, Apoteri, Aranaputa, Crash Water, Kwatamang, Kwaimatta, Massara, Rewa, Rupertee, Surama, Toka, Wowetta, Yakarinta, and Fairview .