Consultations to begin soon on Guyana’s National Land Policy
− the new policy will ensure a more detailed land-use plan.
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, November 14, 2019
Two months after initial deliberations and crafting of a work plan, consultations will soon begin on Guyana’s National Land Policy. REDD+ Investment Fund is making this possible with $3.1Billion (US$15M).
The new National Land Policy will ensure a strategic framework to guide land development in the country.
Earlier on Thursday, Durwin Humphrey, Manager of the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC) Secretariat, told the Department of Public Information (DPI), that all stakeholders will have an opportunity to make recommendations throughout the process.
“A national land policy is something that has never been completed and adapted in Guyana previously, and so we consider this a monumental step in the country’s history… We envisaged that through dialogue and proper facilitation of dialogue, compromises, [we can arrive at] a mutually beneficial position,” Humphrey stated.
He related that a National Land Policy is essential for a country as this will impact, among other areas, the availability of land for housing. “Land is a development issue,” he added.
The commission has given itself an 18-month timeframe to complete the policy framework, according to the GLSC Secretariat Manager.
“Under the project, and in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, the commission has recruited an international consultant, as well as a national counterpart consultant, to lead in the development of this national land policy.”
The National Land Policy overarching policy document is being developed under the theme “Mainstreaming Sustainable Land Development and Management.”