Dear Editor,
It will be appreciated if you would permit a response to Mr. Carlton Sinclair’s letter `Kwakwani trail accident exposes occupational safety hazards bauxite workers face’ carried in your newspaper July 10, 2010, re the road accident at Kwakwani on June 30, 2010.
Like Mr. Sinclair, the Management of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI) is also deeply grieved over the accident and would like to express, once again, its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
But, unlike Mr. Sinclair and his union, the Company did not use the accident for cheap propaganda and misinformation but took positive action to assist.
On receiving news of the accident, efforts were made to transport the injured to Georgetown.
Thankfully, the Honour-able Prime Minister and his team were able to coordinate the air-lifting of the injured persons and prompt medical treatment at the Public Hospital Georgetown or the results could have been worse. Special mention must be made of the Guyana Defence Force officers and employees of Roraima Airways, who worked in a professional manner beyond their call of duty.
Transportation, accommodation and meals were provided for the nurses who accompanied the injured; transportation was also provided for the wives of the injured and not only for wives of employees but those from the logger’s pick-up also.
The day after the accident the injured employees were transferred to Woodlands Hospital by the Company and the full cost of hospitalization and necessary surgeries were paid for by the Company. In addition all five employees were given financial assistance.
Mr. Sinclair insinuated that two of BCGI’s employees died; however only one died, the other was from the pick-up. The Company covered the entire expense of the funeral of its late employee, Mr. Herman Wade including transportation of the body from Georgetown and meals and drinks were provided for wakes held at Aroaima and Kwakwani. Transportation was provided from Linden and Aroaima to Kwakwani for persons to attend the funeral.
Mr. Wade’s mother was given a grant and the former reputed wife of Mr. Wade was paid the benefits and bereavement payment in accordance with the Company’s policy.
Ali this was done, notwithstanding that it was a road accident and the Company was in no way responsible.
Mr. Sinclair conveniently turns a road accident into an industrial accident. The Police Force and the Ministry of Labour are investigating, let them pronounce.
Investigations by the Company’s Security revealed that the driver of the pick-up owned by a logger was speeding and travelling on the wrong side of the road. Statements from occupants of the pick-up revealed that they were knocking on the cab of the vehicle and shouting to the driver to slow down but to no avail.
Contrary to Mr. Sinclair’s fictitious claims, the road was in good shape and that allowed the driver to speed.
This road is maintained by the Company but is more used by loggers transporting logs; the loggers contribute nothing to maintenance, not even a toll is paid.
Mr. Sinclair said “the accident resulted from a collision of on-coming vehicles at a dangerous turn”, more fiction.
The accident did not, I repeat, did not occur at a dangerous turn as he claimed, but on a straight section of the road at the crest of a hill. The driver of the pick-up was not in control of his vehicle and ended up in the path of the bus. Again he said —“ the absence of Safety signs to forewarn drivers”. The road is 50.5 feet wide where the accident occurred.
He said that mini buses are unsuitable for the road, but cars use it, so why are mini buses unsuitable?
He wrote about use of unsafe vehicles in May, 2009. He is referring to Caterpillar Haul Trucks and Excavators, that the union wanted air conditioned. Where else is this so? The Ministry of Labour was involved.
He said that Safety and Health matters should not be taken lightly. Mr. Sinclair should say why all efforts to reconstitute the joint Occupational Safety & Health Committee were frustrated by the union – why letters sent by the Company from July 4, 2009 to October 14, 2009 on this subject went unanswered by the union.
It is sad that Mr. Sinclair would take such a tragedy to be the platform for yet another of his unfounded diatribes against the Company (BCGI) and the Ministry of Labour. No wonder the workers have lost faith in the union.
The Company wishes the injured a speedy and full recovery.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Akeel
