Organisations in Guyana

Sea and River Defence Division (SRDD)
SRDD, created in 1996, operates within MPWC and acts as an agent of the SDB for execution of the physical works. All responsibilities concerning the programming, design, construction, maintenance and repairs of the sea and river defences in Guyana, are concentrated within SRDD. The organisation of SRDD consists of the Project Execution Unit (PEU), established in 1994, and the Emergency Works Department (EWD).

For more information about Sea and River Defence Division see the next page. 

Sea Defence Board (SDB)
The Sea Defence Board (SDB), created in 1993, is the entity responsible for sea defence. It refers directly to the Minister of Public Works and Communications (PWC). The vice-chairman of the SDB is at the same time the Chief Officer of the Sea and River Defence Division (SRDD) of the same ministry.

The members of the board are appointed by the Minister of Public works and Communications and include representatives of Regions 2, 3, 4 and 6, Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Local Government, the Drainage and Irrigation Board and the private sector. The board meets regularly once a month and in cases deemed necessary.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
In 1996 the Environmental Protection Agency was created under the Environmental Protection Act and was given the task to co-ordinate an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Programme with the following objectives:

• Promote and strengthen inter-agency and inter-sector collaboration
• Reduce inter-agency rivalry
• Minimise overlapping activities of line agencies
• Provide a forum for conflict resolution
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of integrated coastal zone management programme and projects
• Implement activities resulting from the evaluation process.

In 1999 the Environmental Protection Agency established an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Committee (ICZMC).

In 2001 EPA has developed an ICZM Action Plan. Most of the activities have still to be initiated. The presently proposed Technical Assistance and Training Programme, however, partly covers a number of activities of the plan:

• Existing legislation on coastal zone management
• Hydrological and climatological data collection systems
• Sea defence structures
• Mangrove management
• Monitor and check benchmarks

IZCM CDB EPA will receive institutional assistance and training from the Caribbean Development Bank for ICZM. This training is envisaged in the ICZM Action Plan and will focus on the decision-making processes regarding integrated coastal zone management issues. Consultants are eager to seek co-ordination and co-operation with this institutional and technical assistance programme, especially with respect to the issues that will be dealt with in the training module focusing on the development of a vision, strategy and master plan for sea defence management.

More information about the EPA can be found on their website.

Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC)
The Guyana Forestry Commission operates as a semi-autonomous body under the Ministry of Fishery, Crops and Livestock (MFCL) and is responsible for the management and exploitation of the Guyana forest reserves. So far the mangrove system is not considered a national forest reserve and GFC has not yet developed a mangrove management plan.

The Guyana Forestry Commission has developed a National Mangrove Management Action Plan as a further elaboration of the EPA ICZM Action Plan. GFC intends to start activities under this action plan in 2004 and seeks additional funding from the International Timber Trade Organisation (ITTO).

Of common interest to GFC and SRDD is the management of the mangrove system as part of the natural sea defence system. It is therefore proposed to include this subject in the Technical Assistance and Training Programme and seek the co-operation of GFC and acknowledging their leading role in this field. GFC has already expressed interest in participating actively in the programme with a specific focus on mangrove management for sea defence.

More information about the GFC can be found on their website.

Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission
The Lands and Surveys Commission, previously under the Ministry of Agriculture, but presently as an autonomous commission, operates a data bank on sea defences and is the national centre for mapping. Since 1997 DFID has been supporting the department to meet the responsibilities for national mapping and land registration.

More information about the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission can be found on their website.

Guyana Hydrometeorological Service
This department is responsible for collection and administration of all hydrological and meteorological data, as well as for monitoring oceanographic data such as wind, waves, tides, water levels, sea temperature and salinity.

More information about the Guyana Hydrometeorological Service can be found on their website.

Transport and Harbours Division
The Hydrographic Office of the Transport and Harbour Department of MPWC is responsible for carrying out hydrographic surveys, dredging operations of navigation channels and pilot services.