Green Agenda goals to be reflected in NDC’s planning

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, August 7, 2018

The Ministry of Communities is committed to the realisation of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 2030 through Government’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS).

According to the representative of the Ministry of Communities, Dr. Simpson Da Silva, the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and other Local Government Organs are prepared to begin implementation of GSDS related policies in 2019.

“We met with the Neighborhood Democratic Council heads and the various leaders in the communities and we have gotten them to start building into their budget the green concept,” Da Silva said.

In addition, Da Silva says the time for action is now and it is incumbent on all Guyanese to educate themselves about the SDG’s and the GSDS; in order for them to become meaningful contributors to the accomplishment of established goals.

“I’m saying the time for action is now because the vision of the GSDS is clear. It is the inclusion or actualisation of all the UN system development goals – that is we must not be poor, we must not be hungry, we must be educated, we must be healthy, we must sustainably consume and produce. We can’t wait, the time to do that is now.”

According to Dr. Da Silva, the necessary authorities must go into schools and in neighbourhoods to get people involved in discussions on the protection of “everything below water our fish and shrimp and crabs to put it simply, stop the pollution of the waterways. When must we talk about it? Now!”

He said the Ministry of Communities believes that all the linkages need to be embraced so that citizens can contribute positively towards the achievement of all the sustainable development goals which are the foundation for the green state development strategy.

The Government’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) is soon to be laid before the National Assembly. Consultations are being held across the country.  They are hosted by the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) and convened in collaboration with the Ministry of Communities (MOC) and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MOIPA), with support from the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).

The objective of the consultations is to raise awareness of the GSDS and to ensure that the people of Guyana can participate and contribute to the development of the GSDS by identifying and prioritising their regional needs and expectations.

“Time to Think, Time to Decide, Time to Act” is the slogan used in promoting the GSDS process. The consultations are conducted during the first stage of this to enable citizens the, “Time to Think.”

The Georgetown leg of the consultations was held July 30 at the Regency Suites.

By: Kidackie Amsterdam

Image: Karime Peters