The $19 million facility was declared open on Tuesday at a simple ceremony by Minister of Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock with responsibility for Forestry, Mr. Satyadeow Sawh. The project was funded by the Department for International Development (DFID).

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Stephen Hiscock, Commissioner of GFC, Mr. James Singh and other officials from GFC were present at the opening ceremony.

The facility is equipped with an office for the day-to-day management of forestry operations in Region Three and living quarters for staff. The living quarters have two single apartments and one to accommodate a family. The apartments are self-contained with kitchen, electrical and plumbing facilities.

Minister Sawh said “GFC has embarked on a policy of decentralising its operations in an effort to provide a better and more accessible service to all stakeholders. This building has a strategic location and I understand that the Commission has plans for making this office the Divisional Forest Station for the Essequibo area.”

He expressed thanks to the British Government for providing funding through DFID for the forestry sector.

“Let us first of all express sincere thanks to the British Government on behalf of the Government of Guyana for providing the funding to construct these two buildings, said Minister Sawh.

It was noted that a new Forestry Office was opened in Mabaruma last month, which was also funded by the British Government.

Minister Sawh announced that a Forest Station would be constructed in Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) with funding from DFID.

“This is a recognition of the great advances that the Government of Guyana has made in putting systems and mechanisms in place to ensure that utilization of our natural resources, especially our forest, is done in a sustainable manner. With the support of DFID and other donor agencies, GFC is now equipped to carry out its mandate of ensuring the proper management of the forest resources for local and international benefits,” said Minister Sawh.

He added, “I know that the GFC support project has officially ended, but I want to make a strong appeal to DFID and other donors to continue providing technical and financial support for specific activities as requested.”

The Minister urged workers of the station to continue to provide high-level professional service to all stakeholders and to carry out their duties with pride, dignity and honesty. He emphasised that the Government and his Ministry have a policy of zero tolerance for discrimination and corruption.

He called on all stakeholders in the Forestry Sector to take full advantage of the building and services provided by GFC.

High Commissioner, Hiscock said GFC benefited from £4 million through DFID for institutional strengthening, construction of buildings and training among other things.

GFC has established similar forest stations at about 16 other locations across the country to monitor forestry operations. There are three divisional offices in Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice, which collect revenue. The stations have been established over a period of ten years.