Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 22, 2018 Letters
Dear Editor,
Mr. Hamilton Green, a reputable son of Guyana expressed his support and concern about the situation at Marudi in a publication in the Kaieteur News on April 18, 2018. On behalf of the small miners of the Rupununi Miners Association (RMA) and their respective families, and all others that are directly or indirectly dependent on earning their daily bread from their work at Marudi; we thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts for recognizing our efforts and sacrifices made in reclaiming what is rightfully ours. Thank you very much Mr.Hamilton Green.
It is amazing and it is a great shame that this community has been neglected by the Government, who promised change for the betterment for all of the people of this country but the authority that promised our community a “good life” disregards the basic necessities.
The clarity of Mr. Green in contrast with the blindness of the sectorial authorities shows failure or the lack of interest within the Government. This lack of interest or failure on the part of the Government is evident, when the Minister of State, Mr. Harmon stated in a recent newspaper publication, that our problem at Marudi was a “sectoral problem” just two single words but he did not give any solutions to deal with our crisis. We do agree with him it is a sectoral problem, identifying the problem without proposing solutions does not change the state of affairs in Marudi.
We have been trying for years to get this situation resolved through the relevant “sector”; Ministry of Natural Resources and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, but up to this day and date, there has not been anything significant that was done for us the small miners of the RMA.
The Minister of Natural Resources met with the President of the RMA, and told him to submit an official proposal at his Ministry. We elaborated a fair proposal, submitted that proposal and we have requested a meeting with the Minister. He promised that he would meet with our President to discuss the details, terms and conditions of the proposal once submitted. Our President had been waiting for over one month in Georgetown, staying in a hotel and generating expense in food, accommodation, transportation etc. Subsequently, we were made to understand that we should talk to Ms. Watson; we all were shocked when we were informed that Ms.Watson said that she would not submit our proposal to the Minister because “that is bad for business”. No further explanation was provided.
It is very disappointing also that the sector that is supposed to take care of this “sectoral problem” is not doing anything in favor of the small miners of Rupununi. The awaited meeting was finally held on April 10, 2018, we were informed that the Minister was in the building at the very hour of the meeting, but he did not even make an appearance. Our President has since returned to the Rupununi, but according to what he has informed us, he has not achieved anything in our favor.
We are not against foreigners investing in Guyana, but Romanex has been for decades now in Guyana, their licence to work at Marudi has been suspended by the previous Government. “How” and “why” has their license been renewed, and not only renewed, but under what circumstance, how and why their licence has been renewed in the middle of an ongoing dispute? We need definitive answers!
Romanex had abandoned the Marudi area after they had failed to find any gold, and when the small miners found gold, and then they suddenly rushed back to claim the area that they had given up. Up to this day and date Romanex does not possess one single piece of equipment, not even a small dredge or a small crusher? They have never done any mining; they have never brought any benefit to Rupununi, then why is it so difficult for the Government to resolve this situation without beating around the bush?
There are two (2) mountains there that have stone gold which we can work with our crushers. Give us one of the mountains and give Romanex the other mountain or has someone had their tail tied by Romanex?
Concerned Citizen.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 29, 2024
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