Gov’t increases carbon credit funds for Amerindian villages

Calling it a demonstration of love, honour, commitment, and belief, President Irfaan Ali on Monday announced that the government will be increasing the percentage payout to Amerindian villages from the sale of Guyana’s carbon credits.

The announcement, at the opening of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference, was met with rousing applause from the hundreds of Indigenous chiefs and leaders gathered at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC) on Monday.

“We do not want you to get less,” Dr. Ali said.

The 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, US$150 million was received, and 15 percent of this, totaling US$22.5 million, was allocated to 242 Indigenous villages.

This year, the total revenues received from carbon credit sales amount to US$87.5 million. If the government were to stick with the 15 percent payout, it would mean that Indigenous villages would receive less than they did in 2023.

The government has decided to allocate 26.5 percent of the earnings from 2024- a sum that amounts to US$23.2 million- to 242 Amerindian villages and new entrants.

This will ensure that villages receive the same level of payment as in 2023.

Therefore, all 242 Amerindian villages, like in 2023, will receive $4.7 billion. And $100 million will go towards allocations to new Amerindian satellites and Community Development Councils (CDCs).

Meanwhile, a total of seven indigenous villages received their absolute grants and Certificate of Title, with land titling and demarcation for their villages now complete. Hotoquai, Hobodia, and Red Hill, all from Region One, received absolute grants. The two others receiving absolute grants were Red Hill in Region Two and Moco Moco in Region Nine.

A Certificate of Title was given to Arau in Region Seven.

Additionally, the Karasaibai District in Region Nine had its demarcation survey completed last month and was promised certificates of title within a short period of time. On Monday, Dr. Ali delivered the Certificate of Title to the Toshao.

“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,” Dr. Ali said.