Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman, who has responsibility for Natural Resources and the Environment, has directed a miner halt the operation of a dredge in close proximity to Isseneru’s residential area, at Middle Mazaruni, Region Seven.
The Ministry of the Presidency, which noted that the decision followed complaints from the Toshao and representatives of the village of Isseneru, announced last evening that the order is effective immediately, pending a fact-finding mission to be conducted by the Ministry in the area on Wednesday.
In a statement, it said the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment will be fielding a team of relevant authorities and stakeholders to assess the water quality and other issues and concerns related to pollution and adherence to boundary laws.
“This will allow for a final decision to be taken in this matter,” it added.
Following the publication of a letter in Stabroek News on November 3rd by Isseneru resident Dwight Larson, who raised concerns about the risks posed by the dredge, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock had told Stabroek News that it would be discussed with Trotman.
Larson, who said he highlighted the situation in hopes that the various state agencies and government ministries responsible for mining, indigenous affairs and legal affairs will take action, noted that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) granted permission to the miner to operate a cutter head river dredge in close proximity to Isseneru’s residential area.
“This is blatant disrespect by GGMC and its officers to grant permission to this operation, knowing that this type of mining can cause huge environmental damage, health problems and loss of life,” he wrote.
“This is a serious issue which needs an urgent response because it poses the risk of erosion and major damage to residential and government properties including the hydromet station, school and health facilities which are close to the area where this destructive mining operation is positioned. This is also a violation of Isseneru’s rights under Section 48 (1) of the Amerindian Act and section 112 of the Mining Act since no consultations were held between the GGMC, the dredge owner and the Isseneru Village Council,” Larson added.
Allicock had also said that reform of the 2006 Amerindian Act is critical and there is a need to strengthen it.
The Ministry noted in its statement that it has undertaken the task of addressing the issue of land management and the distribution of lands for varying sectors in a holistic manner, with the intention of creating a National Land Use Policy to avoid these occurrences.
