Do We Need More Resource Extractors in Guyana?

Jul 17, 2022 Letters

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Dear Editor,

I noticed with some annoyance and disappointment in my heart that despite my protestations, the Government of Guyana is proceeding with bringing in two major gold mines into Guyana. Despite my objections and the concerns of most Guyanese of more gold mining companies coming to Guyana, it is observed that two world class gold mining companies will commence operations in the very near future in Region 7 (Cuyuni- Mazaruni).
I just want to draw to the attention of the country’s Government, that we the people voted and appointed them to manage our resources, our affairs, law enforcement, defense and our One Guyana policy. The Government needs to understand that we the people are the bosses of this country and they are the servants.

We have a right to protest and we the people have a right to “fire” them if they do not do what is good for Guyana and for the people of Guyana, particularly for our future generations. I know a time will come when the future generations will applaud and sing heroic songs of this current administration in power or they will “cuss and buse” and make mockery of the leaders of this generation.
It would appear to me, that this government wants to become exceptionally rich with cash reserves overnight by selling out our minerals/natural resources: oil + oil + more oil + plenty, plenty oil =all oil gone. For what? Coloured paper money that will raise our standard of living for a while? Plus, VP President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has been warning us about excessive money in the system and country causing excessive inflation!!! Well, Excellency President Dr. Irfaan Ali, VP Dr. Jagdeo, Hon. Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Hon. Min of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat etc.

The same equation above for oil, goes for gold. Okay I understand, we get 5% plus 3% royalty of extracted declared gold! What mechanism do we have in place to prevent the smuggling of extracted gold by these gold mining companies, though they might be termed as world-class? We know Omai Gold mines had their own airstrip and planes, so I appeal to you all, just wonder and ponder on the reality.
These companies have a way of bringing in the chefs and hotel management from places like Marriot International to feed, wine and dine the expats. The monies that are calculated from us, partially pay for their lifestyles. I wish to advise the government to study Aruba where the Spanish extracted every iota of dust of gold out of that nation and left it bare without anything for the future generation. Thank God they cannot take the sand the sea or the wind which finances Aruba at this juncture in their civilization.

Guyana Goldfields: this is a nasty case of evil conspiracies of a Canadian corporation only hungry for wealth. They brought in a few tents, a few pieces equipment, they spent a few dollars to train female drivers in Santa Mission to prove their corporate generosities. They did some drilling, extracted gold then they complained that they were not making money and as the typical capitalist trying to eat every single dollar by sucking the wealth out of nation/nations they sold to a Chinese company. I personally do not have any problems with China but reports have it, that it was one of those Chinese companies that are not really positive for the development and partnership in a country.

They sold for $200,000,000 USD (two hundred million USD), paid not a single tax to the Guyanese nation but ended up paying taxes in Canada and we lose. The laws of this country for these investors must make it clear, that if they sell their companies the Government/ people of Guyana must get a 50% cut in the sale of company. There are foreign companies only set to eke out the wealth of our country and our people; they don’t care a damn about us. I, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan, hereby demand that this government begins to put things in place that no foreign corporation can sell out its business without us getting a fair share of the taxes for our people and our country.

So Barrick Gold is coming to suck the juices out of our peoples and our nation, as is Alicanto Minerals, which obviously only cares about themselves. I am appealing to the government that as we have oil and monies are coming on a regular basis, and more will come in the future, also as we expect to go to a million barrels of oil per day in a few years, plus we want to control inflation, we should let Guyana rest especially in the fear of inflation.

Government officials, peoples of Guyana, whenever they drill for gold they destroy the environment! They destroy the ancestral lands of the Indigenous people who were the original owners, decimated by conquerors and even enslaved at once. These lands truly belong to the Amerindians/ Indigenous peoples of this country, and by extension the people of Guyana. It is also known, as you see with oil, Guyanese are usually ill-treated! Guyanese are fed worse and less quality food and Guyanese are paid less than expat workers. I am prepared to protest with any organization or institution that is not political on this issue.

Sincerely,
Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr.

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