| Opposition Leader, Brig (rt’d) David Granger, expressed yesterday that his coalition, A Partnership forOpposition Leader, David GrangerNational Unity (APNU), is deeply concerned about the impact of current challenges confronting the gold and diamond mining industry, and is calling for a strategic plan that will address those issues.At a press conference at his Hadfield Street office, Granger said that while the industry has been the country’s largest foreign currency earner for seven years, it has been affected by the sudden drop in world price for gold in 2014.This, he said, caused a fall in production, affected declarations and earnings and led to a rise in operating costs which resulted in the closure of several operations and even the loss of hundreds of jobs.APNU, he said, is convinced that the national economy could be significantly enhanced and the livelihood of hinterland residents and miners enriched by a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to the industry.The Opposition leader said that his partnership is committed to a fresh policy for the industry, one that will result in the sector being placed on a level that is comparable with other sectors of the economy and will also attract governmental support.Granger told members of the media that he is aware of the engagements between the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE) and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA).He added that APNU is committed to the promulgation of a plan of action for the Industry which will see sustainedAPNU Shadow Minister of Local Government, Ronald Bulkanemployment, investment and development of the industry. However,NBA Jerseys From China, for this to be effectively achieved, Brig. Granger said that a number of matters must be dealt with.The first he addressed was hinterland infrastructure. Granger said that as his coalition has said before, there is need to have a policy that will guide the improvement and the maintenance of aerodromes, roadways and bridges.He noted that there are frequent fatal aviation, riverine and road accidents, delays and damage to vehicles on difficult roadways which have all increased the risk and cost of mining operations in the hinterland.Second on his list was hinterland security. The politician reiterated his party’s intention to transfer the headquarters of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) hinterland (‘F’) division from Georgetown to Bartica and to provide the Force with adequate aircraft, all-terrain vehicles, communications equipment, river boats and additional personnel to ensure more effective law-enforcement.As it relates to hinterland municipal administration, Granger said that his partnership has intentions to upgrade Mabaruma, Bartica, Mahdia and Lethem into townships with their own mayors and municipal councils.He said that the APNU will pay more attention to regional development needs, such as providing regular electricity, potable water and solid waste disposal. Granger also committed that under his administration, local government elections will also be held.While restating his party’s unwavering support for the resolution of legitimate indigenous land rights claims in order to avoid conflict, he said that APNU is also concerned with improving health services in the hinterland region.The last matter he alluded to involved royalties, rental rates and equipment. On this front, the Opposition Leader said that consideration will be given to the GGDMA’s proposal for the reduction of rental paid on mining properties, lowering royalty payments and the acquisition of equipment, fuel, vehicles and accessories.Granger emphasized that consideration must also be given to the GGDMA’s proposal for the implementation of waivers or reduced tariffs on fuel and selected imported equipment required by large, small and medium-scale miners in the sector.Lending much support to the Leader’s statements was his Shadow Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine.The politician said that the mining industry and operations are in effect plagued with problems and that the degeneration in some sections of the sector underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to be taken by the government.He said that there is an inter-ministerial body that is tasked with meeting the mining association, and his understanding is that there has only been one meeting to date when there should be ongoing meetings with a specific work programme to monitor what is happening in the industry.Dr. Roopnaraine said, too, that Guyana is supposed to be applying for membership to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the international body that is concerned with the governance of extractive industries and deals specifically with finance and how monies are paid by foreign companies and where the monies go.The Shadow Minister for Natural Resources said, that it really is an organization that requires a high level of governance and accountability but “Guyana has been essentially, I think, pussyfooting with membership with the EITI for a couple of years…we need to accelerate movement to attain membership.”Shadow Minister of Local Government for the APNU, Ronald Bulkan, also shared with the media some of the complaints by miners in the sector.Bulkan said that most of the complaints were in relation to a feeling of neglect for some aspects of the industry by the government, and the uneven distribution of concessions between local and foreign members of the sector.Bulkan said, too, that there is the claim that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) offers very little or no services to miners, and also lambasted the Commission for conducting special projects without proper consultations.Did APNU make any attempt to contact the Commission on the complaints it received from the miners? Bulkan said that to the best of his knowledge there has been no contact with the Commission.Dr. Roopnaraine said that such an avenue has not been pursued as yet and as such, is still on the table. |
