Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, said that over the past three years, a number of gun licences were issued to miners, as they seek to beef up their own security in light of spiraling crime in the interior.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee
The minister made the statement in response to an article by this newspaper which quoted Gold and Diamond Miners Association head, Patrick Harding as saying that several requests made to the Home Affairs Ministry for miners to train their own security officials have not been responded to, and also that the issuance of firearms is another issue awaiting the attention of the Home Affairs Ministry.
The minister said it is concerned about what it deems an erroneous statement, by the GGDMA president, which it strongly abhors.
“The ministry’s interest in seeking to support the mining community, particularly, as it relates to security, is evident in the many meetings convened at the ministry and other levels, in the past. The ministry wishes to clarify that it does not issue firearm licenses, but is involved in the process leading up to the approval of firearm licenses. More importantly, the ministry is not in possession of applications for firearm licences from miners, submitted through the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association to the ministry, for its consideration,” Rohee said in the statement.
He added that over the last three years, it issued “no objection” for firearm licenses for approximately 35 miners/ or dredge owners, some of whom live on the coastland, but work in the interior. “This amount does not include those approvals that would have been issued by the Guyana Police Force, independently,” the minister said.
He added that it is to be noted that in some instances, multiple licenses were issued, ie, for both handgun and shotgun. “The ministry wishes to assure the mining community of its commitment to providing the highest level of security, possible, and welcomes the interest of miners to be integrally involved in this process.” Since the spike in gold prices internationally, there has been renewed interest in Guyana’s goldfields, which has brought with it untold crimes, ranging from prostitution to gun violence. In its recent update on the crime situation, the Guyana Police Force noted that there has been a significant increase in the number of murders in the interior. Some 39 murders were committed there up to October last year, 30 of which stemmed from domestic violence and disorderly behaviour. But government said it plans to tackle the problem.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud acknowledged recently that the issue is a major concern not only for government, but the gold and diamond industry, and the many families who have lost loved ones.
Persaud said prior to him being appointed Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and responsible agencies were looking at ways to address the issue from different standpoints. He noted that the issue is still being examined, and he is hoping that several possible solutions can be realised.
Persaud said that he will meet with Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, police and army officials and other stakeholders to come up with a more innovative strategy to help reduce crime. The minister plans to propose the creation of temporary police outposts for certain areas as well as permanent ones where necessary. “Certainly, mining and mining activities have gone outside of, perhaps, the zone which would have had traditional police presence. All that too would have to be in a way, be reorganised and reoriented in these areas… how too we can develop or establish security presence in and around mining areas,” Persaud stated.
Despite the gloomy crime situation, gold production continues to soar. Guyana has surpassed its 2011 gold production target, extracting some 350,000 ounces. Predictions are that the price for gold will increase by 17 per cent, to US$ 1850 per ounce in this year. In its December quarterly, Australia’s Resources and Energy Economics Bureau says extended periods of glob al financial market instabil ity could increase investment demand for gold, and in turn, place further upward pressure on the gold price.
