Forestry Commission gets G$ 350 million bailout

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat 

A release from the Ministry of Natural Resources today announced that the government has approved the sum of G$ 350 million to ensure that the cash strapped Forestry Sector remains afloat.

The approval for the funds according to the statement from the Ministry came after representation was made to President Irfaan Ali for financial support. The monies according to the Ministry will be used to pay salaries and utility services.

Minister Bharrat and his PS receives a briefing from the head of the Forestry Commission

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat in his remarks noted that the ministry became saddled with the financial burden after what he called mismanagement of the sector prior to the PPP taking office three weeks ago.

Two weeks ago, Minister Bharrat among his visits to the various arms within the Ministry made a stop overt that the forestry Commission where he was briefed on the financial state of the entity and where the commission sought to have him engage the president on the matter.

It was also communicated to the minister during that visit, according to the statement issued today, that the Forestry Commission has been struggling to pay staff on time and as well as funding other critical operational costs over the last several months.

Workers have also not been paid their $25,000 bonus which was announced by David Granger Administration and according to the statement from the Ministry of Natural Resources Ministry, those outstanding payments to the staff would be made before the end of 2020.

“Meanwhile, Minister Bharrat has already commenced discussions with the Commission and other stakeholders within the forest sector to examine strategies to enhance the financial performance and management capabilities of this very important sector” the release added.