Over $14B disbursed to Amerindian communities, more support announced

More than $14 billion has been disbursed to Amerindian communities over the last three years through the Carbon Credit initiative, with continued support set for 2025. This funding is part of Guyana’s agreement with Hess Corporation, which involves the purchase of 30 per cent of the country’s forest carbon over a 10-year period.

Amerindian villages have been benefitting significantly under the government’s upgraded Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, which dedicates 15 per cent of all revenues earned under the mechanism toward enhancing Amerindian livelihoods. In fact, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo reported that some 3,000 projects are currently being implemented simultaneously in over 200 villages nationwide.

Speaking on day two of the National Toshaos Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Dr Jagdeo also presented figures to highlight the LCDS’s direct benefits to Amerindian communities.

Some US$22.7 million was allocated in 2023, US$23.27 million in 2024, and a maintained US$23.27 million in 2025, despite reduced receipts from Hess Corporation. “This year it is … nearly 22 percent of the resources that you are getting because we did not want, because of lower receipts this year, to change the allocation to the villages,” he explained.

As Amerindian leaders continue to engage the state on various pressing issues, Dr Jagdeo announced that each village will receive financial resources to assist with housing upgrades.

According to him, this will complement the additional $1 million in funding that will be granted to villages to offset upgrades to their sport grounds/centres. Expounding on the housing initiative further, he stated that, “they would be managed by the village councils. So [if] people need help – they will get the help.”

Dr Jagdeo also addressed what he described as misleading rhetoric from critics who claim the government is flush with oil money. He clarified that while Guyana earns income from its oil and gas industry, that revenue accounts for only 37 per cent of the national budget. The remainder is primarily allocated to critical sectors such as education, health, roads, and bridges—which together receive more funding than the total oil revenue.

Amerindian leaders were also informed that the PPP/C Administration has fulfilled all of its commitments made to the First People in its 2015–2020 manifesto. Dr Jagdeo emphasised the importance of examining the legacies of the various political parties.

He further informed leaders that the government may consider establishing its own airline through the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to address exploitative freight costs in interior regions.

Over the next two days, more than 200 Amerindian leaders will continue discussions with the President and Cabinet members on issues affecting their communities, all aimed at uplifting the livelihoods of the First People.