-North West residents complain
A mining operation in a tributary of the Kaituma River is sending muddy water downstream and residents of Port Kaituma are calling on the authorities to take action.
A resident who contacted Stabroek News Friday, said that reports were made to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Chairman of Region One Fermin Singh and the police. However, more than a month later, the muddy water is still flowing, he said.
Neville La Rose, the Chairman of the Citrus Grove/Airstrip Community Development Council, said that about a month ago, in August, residents noticed that the colour of the water in the Kaituma River had changed. He explained that this is the only water source for Port Kaituma and it serves domestic and other uses. He said that the Guyana Water Incorporated normally operated a pump that services most homes by pumping water from the river, but for some time now, it has not been operated due to the pollution in the river. “We need assistance because the situation is terrible,” said La Rose.
He said that complaints were made to the regional authorities, and the GGMC about two weeks ago and more recently, on Thursday, but they have seen no change. Yesterday, the matter was even reported to the police, he said. When Stabroek News contacted the office of Commissioner of the GGMC, William Woolford, it was told that he was out of town.
This newspaper was told that the mining operation was located in a tributary of the Kaituma River, at a place called ‘Wallabaka,’ not very far from Port Kaituma. The water is muddy and discoloured, Stabroek News was told. Further, it was said that back in 2008, another operation in the same area was stopped because of the same problem.
La Rose said that about 5,000 persons have been affected by the situation. “The water getting worse,” he added. He said too that the residents have been coping by catching rainwater but many have complained to him about the state of the river.
La Rose called on the Ministry of Health and also the Environmental Protection Agency to get involved.
Another resident also said that there was evidence of pollution and blamed it on miners. He said that about a week ago, water flowing from the taps was discoloured and as a result GWI stopped pumping it. He said that the water was normally pumped from the Kaituma Creek and the discolouration was a clear sign of pollution. However, he said that pumping of the water had resumed, signalling that it had improved somewhat. But he was unable to say to what extent. According to the resident, there are some mining camps about three miles away from the creek and the water from these operations flows into it.
He recalled that in the past, they had reason to ask miners to stop allowing water to enter the creek and they would stop temporarily then resume the practice later. He said that a community meeting is planned for next Thursday and the situation is one of the issues that would be raised.
