A delegation of miners and suppliers from Linden, Mahdia, Lethem and Bartica yesterday appealed for the government to effect the removal of the blockades along roads in and around Linden.
The delegation turned up at the Office of the President and met with Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud on behalf of the President, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported last evening.
The delegation consisted of miners, foresters, and ration and fuel suppliers, who pointed out that their operations have been at a standstill for over three weeks, since the protest began on July 18 and they are facing burdens amounting to millions of dollars. “Some complained that their assets were also destroyed by those manning blockades,” GINA said, while noting that others were also threatened or harassed.
It further noted that some suppliers have had several trucks parked at the Guyana National Stadium parking since the protest started and they are counting their losses.
Persaud expressed the President Donald Ramotar’s regrets and updated them on government’s efforts to resolve the Linden situation, GINA said. It added that following fervent representation for support, Persaud instructed the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to coordinate temporary support to alleviate the plight of the businessmen/truckers. In addition, an inventory of trucks and other possible support will be recorded to be examined by various government agencies for security and logistical assistance, GINA added.
