A crackdown on illegal shops suspected of harbouring criminals in mining districts is looming and several agencies are to be networked to keep a lid on all illegal activities through greater intelligence gathering.
“[Guyana Geology and Mines Commission] will embark on a compliance sweep during the first quarter of 2013. This enforcement strategy will include members of the [Guyana Police Force], [and Guyana Revenue Authority],” a senior Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) official told Stabroek News.
Miners are concerned about their safety and of the increase in crimes and illegal activities in their immediate surroundings.
The issue of illegal shops and the criminals they habour was highlighted, among other issues, when the organisation met with President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee recently.
The GGDMA official stated that while the organisation welcomed the police force’s move to delink the E&F divisions given the importance of the interior, the organisation feels that the new F Division headquarters should be in an area that the division represents. “We are glad that the two divisions are separated but we would prefer if the ‘F’ Division [headquarters] could be located either in Bartica or Port Kaituma, rather than at Eve Leary, all the way in Georgetown,” said the official, who suggested somewhere accessible by residents in regions 1, 7, and 8.
“Although communication is better now, with more uses of the satellite phone, cell phone, internet, for example, you need that senior man on the ground closer to the action.
So, if decisions are to be made in a jiffy, he could and people would be more comfortable with him there,” the official added.
He also explained that some miners also voiced concerns over the lack of policing in mining districts. “One group stated that they are learning about various policies—this implemented and that—but when they are going on the ground, they [the miners] are not seeing any action. What you have instead is when they [the police] leave, the people accusing them of shakedowns, harassing the Brazilians, taking bribes or something,” the official noted.
However, the challenges faced by the police were also noted. “We sympathise with the police. It is difficult. Many places they don’t have a permanent station and the places are remote.
The police don’t have the resources they need… they come periodically… so when the criminals hear the police are coming, they move and lie low until they gone and then come back,” the official added.
When the GGDMA met with the President, security, technical assistance to miners, support for the sector, Amerindian land titling and extensions were discussed. There was also a presentation on the Amaila Falls Project and the organisation highlighted the impacts it would have on small and medium scale mining.
Other problems bemoaned by the miners were the backlog in the processing of firearm licences and what it called the inordinate delays in the processing of work permits for non-nationals.
Among follow up actions will be the investment in a mobile police outpost for the interior, strengthening areas of cooperation, such as the Hinterland Intelligence Committee and the recommencement of regular meetings between the Commis-sioner of Police and the GGDMA.
In addition, the broadening of patrols to include other agencies such as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Revenue Authority, and the Guyana Energy Agency coupled with the intensification of roving patrols and individual evaluation of each patrol by stakeholders was also floated.
Establishing community policing groups in the interior and having more supernumerary ranks attached to mining operations were also recommendations.
The GGDMA official said that all of the meetings they have had so far with government proved fruitful and they look forward to meeting with Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh to discuss concessions, among other issues.
