Summary Update

Compensation Programme For Clearing Of Backlands,

Lower East Coast Demerara

Background

Following a decision to clear the backlands of the Lower East Coast Demerara between Friendship Brushe Dam and Buxton Side Line Dam access dams, a compensation centre was established to process claims of farmers affected by the exercise.

Compensation Centre

 

The centre was established on Monday 18 February 2008 at the Friendship Methodist Church, 23 Friendship Road East Coast, Demerara.

It is operated by a multi-stakeholder body comprised of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Local Government, Joint Services and a Recording Secretary.

The centre is expected to operate for a period of three (3) weeks to facilitate as many farmers as possible to register their claims for compensation in this area. Following this initial period, the operating date will be further extended if the need arises.

The operating schedule of the centre is Monday to Friday 8:30am– 5pm.

The Centre will then be relocated to the other communities where clearing activities will take place.

Principles and Procedures

The compensation programme is implemented through a set of principles and procedures which outline the claims and verification processes.

Moreover, it specifies the dispute resolution mechanism to be employed in cases of difficulties encountered during the verification process.

Following verification, a contract is agreed between the Ministry of Agriculture and claimant farmer and payment made within seven (7) days of signing the contract.

Claims Process

Since the establishment of the centre on February 18 to Monday 25 February, a total of 63 farmers have made claims for trees and crops destroyed.

Verification Process

An on-the-ground verification was conducted on Sunday 24 February along Brushe Dam to determine level of damage and legitimacy of the farmers’ claims.

Of the 23 farmers who registered claims that they are cultivating along Brushe Dam, only 8 participated in the verification, even though they were all notified via phone and through their representatives.

The verification exercise was led by the Joint Services and conducted along Brushe Dam since this is the only area cleared so far.

The on-site inspection revealed that no suckers (plantain and bananas) or major tree crops were destroyed.

This verification will include Joint Services photos and films as well as on-site inspection.

The first group of affected farmers signed their compensation contracts on Tuesday 26 February 2008 and cheques would be issued within seven days.

Next Steps

So far, only Brushe Dam has been cleared. But those farmers whose crops will be affected in the identified zone for clearing will be compensated at the earliest through a verification process even before clearing is carried out.

Farmers who claim that they are denied access will continue to interact with the Joint Services on a suitable arrangement.

 

Ministry of Agriculture

February 26, 2008

 

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