Opposition Leader roasts Govt for ‘hostile rhetoric’ towards mining association

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has dubbed the coalition Government’s response to concerns expressed by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) as unhelpful ‘hostile rhetoric.’
Jagdeo was referring to a recent statement issued by the GGDMA where it called for an immediate investigation into the execution of a miner who was working legally on a legal claim, among other issues.
The former Head of State said, “I am concerned about the hostile rhetoric by Government in response to GGDMA… The GGDMA was factual… talked about the state of the road, taxes, harassment of miners, corruption in the sector and bullyism.”
Jagdeo said rather than responding to the concerns raised by the Association, the Government, he said, “we saw threatening rhetoric coming from the Government.”
Jagdeo repeated his call for Government to pay attention to the concerns of the miners, given the importance of the mining sector to Guyana’s economy.
“It seems that some people are totally seduced by the lure of oil, that they believe that we can just wait for oil to save use,” the Opposition Leader opined.
The GGDMA had called for a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to be launched into the death of a Brazilian miner who was shot and killed by two Police Officers in Puruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
The Association made calls via a strongly worded statement to the media on Wednesday which highly condemned the action, and more so the officers, who committed that act.
“No one in the Government is doing anything to help miners, they are just applying pressure. We are demanding our respect… there seems to be no one in charge of the mining sector and the Government is yet to articulate its policy on continued mining in Guyana,” the GGDMA stated in the release.
The organisation bashed the Finance Ministry for not addressing issues within the sector.
“When the Minister of Finance takes to the media to bemoan and lament the dismal performance of the Guyanese economy, he must address the outstanding issues under his portfolio that are negatively impacting the industry and then look squarely in the face of his colleagues who, for the last four years, have mismanaged and neglected the industry which carried Guyana on its back,” the GGDMA added in its release.
In addition, the body said it has taken note of the increasing levels of bullyism which is seemingly going unnoticed by the Government, which is clearly responsible for the downturn in the mining sector.
“There is an increasing level of bullyism taking place and public officers are clearly operating outside the law without consequence… death, corruption and frustration are now the pillars on which the current Government seems to be moulding the industry”.
Against this backdrop, the Association said “Mining is surely on the down turn and the blame for this lies squarely at the feet of the current Government”.
It complained that is has now been more than three years since the coalition Government took office and the President is still refusing to meet with the largest Private Sector employer in the country. “We will not take it anymore.”
Government, through the Natural Resources Ministry, responded stating its concern regarding the miner’s death. “We trust that there will be an expeditious and fair hearing to determine all of the relevant facts and that justice will be served,” it said.
However, in response to the criticisms over the purported failure of Government to address the concerns of the industry, it said that was far from the truth.
“The miners in particular, and the public in general, will recall the numerous efforts made by various Ministries to support the mining community by providing greater incentives for fuel and spares, granting duty-free concessions, assisting with the establishment of the National Mining Syndicate and providing mining lands to name but a few of the initiatives that have been introduced and are ongoing.”
Further, the Ministry said the GGDMA speaks of respect and yet has publicly challenged President David Granger on issues such as mercury eradication following his attendance at the First Conference of Parties for the Minimata Convention, and given ultimatum for a meeting to be held.
“The Government of Guyana takes issue with the insinuation that the GGDMA has been disrespected by it and wishes to place on record that it endeavours to treat respectfully, all persons, group and organisations in its interfaces. Respect begets respect and if respect is demanded, it first has to be given and be deserving,” it added.
Government said too that it can well appreciate the nervousness of some miners that the emerging green economy and imminent oil production will displace their standing and wishes to assure that the gold mining industry will remain an indelible feature of Guyana’s economy and culture.
“It is time the GGDMA decided whether it is a political pressure group and a body representing the interests of an elite group, or a partner in national development. The Government of Guyana waits with great expectation for meaningful and respectful engagement, and meanwhile, will continue its efforts to ensure a better organised and regulated mining industry.”