Citizens Bank Managing Director Eton Chester is the new Chairman of the Board of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
An official of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment confirmed that Minister Robert Persaud made the announcement at an event on Monday. Chester replaces Major General (retired) Joe Singh, who resigned on Saturday following strong agitation from the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA), which expressed no confidence in him and pulled its participation from Mining Week activities as a result.
In a letter to Persaud, dated August 18, 2012, Singh said that he had not been informed that there was a vote of no-confidence against him. “I would not wish to be the excuse for the Association’s non-participation in the Mining Week 2012 activities and also an inhibiting factor in the much needed collaboration between the Association and the Commission and with your Ministry,” he wrote.
“As a professional who has strived to serve the interests of Guyana and all of its citizens to my utmost ability over the past 48 years of my working life, it is not difficult for me to make this decision to resign from the membership of the Board of the GGMC and as Chairman and I do so with immediate effect,” Singh added.
He noted that he telephoned GGDMA President Patrick Harding and advised him of the decision to resign and requested that he informs his membership, so that the way is cleared for the GGDMA to participate fully in Mining Week 2012. The GGDMA has been participating in the Mining Week activities, which began on Sunday.
