Meeting Swallay Mohammed (Part 3)

(In this column back in March 2005, I wrote: “The NRWRP is in urgent need of funds to expand the reafforestation programme and, since NRWRP works through and with CBOs, it seems logical to distribute the (Green Fund) funds (for reafforestation) through NRWRP.”

“However, on reflection,” I recalled, “ it seems to me that while some CBOs taking part in the NRWRP are serious, others may have faded away, or are offering courses in cake decorating. I’m not sure how you protect the environment by cake decorating.”

Swallay had an answer for that. “I have made it very clear that the funds are intended for community groups and organisations, otherwise the law doesn’t allow it. That’s a question we will have to deal with. As I said, it’s a new concept and we’ll need all the help we can get to get the thing going in the right direction. The United Nations Development Programme have been in the picture from very early, checking reports and guidelines … I’ll be asking Dr Agard and Mr Shand for help as we go along – but the time is not yet for me to approach them…” “ It seems,” said I, “ that monies from the Green Fund will only apply to reafforestation, that there is no possibility for the protection of endangered species or the preservation of wetlands.”

“Well, I think,’ he replied, “that will fall under conservation of the environment and Anne, maybe you’d be a good one to be part of that Committee.”

“Not me,” I objected, “I’m only an amateur, I don’t have the scientific background you need for members of the Unit or the Committee. Changing the subject, if I may, do you know if anything was being done if anyone was appointed to man the Unit before you were appointed?” “Nothing, there were no appointments no. As you know there was an Agency, which was disbanded, now in its place we have the Green Fund Advisory Committee, which, to me is the same thing.” Scarcely believing the Fund had been in limbo for the past 6-7 years, I pressed him. “No appointments to the Agency, no appointments to the Advisory Committee and so far only one appointment to the Unit?” “No, no appointments.” Yet he remained hopeful as he said, “My perception of operationalising the Green Fund is that come April or May there will be a public launch. I will recommend that there be one in North Trinidad, one in Central one in South and one in Tobago. We will have the necessary pamphlets, I foresee newspaper advertisements, radio and TV inviting people to identify projects in their localities – that is very important, projects in their localities.” “Will the Advisory Committee members receive remuneration for their time?” I asked. “My own view,” he replied, “is that the Committee be required to meet at most once a month or more frequently as required, so I’m sure the question of compensation will arise, maybe an honorarium.”

“And will the Green Fund Unit be part of the public service?” “There’ll be officers on contract, on terms and conditions to be determined by the Chief Personnel Officer so they will not be public servants but officers appointed on contract.”

“Which means they’ll probably be specialists in their own field?” “Yes, yes. But now, from your own knowledge what are the projects for Trinidad and Tobago that would qualify for funding?” he asked me.

“I would say,” I replied, “the Fondes Amandes Reforestation people, the turtle people, Nature Seekers in Matura and GREAT in Gran Riviere, Protectors of the Environment in Surrey Village, Lopinot, possibly the Wharfe Trace Reforestation project, the Greenplains Foundation of Felicity Village, Chaguanas, (that’s a CBO determined to save the mangrove from becoming a second Labasse. …)”

“Yes, yes,” he cut me off. “I was considering the Water Wheel in Diego Martin, I was also thinking about Knolly’s Tunnel – that kind of thing.”

“Surely,’ I objected, “that comes under tourism rather than remediation of the environment – reforestation, protection and rehabilitation of wetlands. Many groups involved in such projects, especially the Community Based Organisations (CBOs), are grassroots people who need technical help to write submissions to present their projects with estimates of costs etc. to the Unit.” “Another project I had in mind,” said Swallay, “ is in Tobago. The major part of the area is in commercial use but they are preserving part for an eco-park.” However, he could not remember the whereabouts of this eco-park project in Tobago. And that about wraps it up for my interview with Swallay Mohammed the one and only appointee to the Green Fund Unit.