Dear Editor,
The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) would like to respond to a letter captioned ‘Improper for GGDMA to call for the confirmation of the acting appointment in GGMC’ Stabroek News August 26; and ‘A contradictory call by the GGDMA’ in the Kaieteur News, August 25.
The GGDMA as a serious stakeholder in the local mining industry has taken this position in support of the appointment of Mr Vieira as Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). The GGDMA has two representatives who sit on the Board of Directors of the GGMC and were part of the process to recruit a commissioner to fill the vacancy created at the retirement of the past Commissioner in 2012. The vacancy was advertised and applicants were shortlisted (among them senior staff of GGMC) and assessed by interviews, and Mr Vieira was the preferred candidate at the end of the process.
Mr Vieira was recruited as Commissioner by the GGMC Board, however the Guyana Public Service Union as the union representing the Commission`s workers protested and advanced the case that the then acting deputy Commissioner be appointed to the position of Commissioner since the individual was soon to retire in a few months. Mr Vieira acquiesced in good faith and in the interest of good working relationships with the GGMC, and has been acting for close to 18 months. It is the Association’s opinion that Mr Vieira is discharging his duties commendably in the present circumstances.
The issues of falling gold prices, rampant illegal mining and upsurge of criminal activity in the hinterland, are as old as the Commission itself, and have to be dealt with on several fronts including the security sector.
The gold and diamond mining industry is regulated and monitored by GGMC. Over the past thirty-one years GGDMA has successfully managed the development of the small and medium scale alluvial gold and diamond mining industry to be the most successful industry in Guyana. This was done by working together with GGMC to solve the problems and agree on the ways forward. At this critical stage of its development it is necessary that the mining industry has someone who has intimate knowledge of the sector as its Commissioner.
In Mr Archer`s letter it is stated “It creates the impression that the GGDMA and the GGMC are bed mates for mutual benefit.
“It’s similar to having criminals elect a Commissioner of Police.”
Stabroek News was wise to not print the latter sentence.
We suspect some mischief and from which quarter. Recall in SN April 26, 2012 and KN August 20, 2013 where APNU was renewing its call for acting Commissioner of Police Mr Brumell to be confirmed in the position he has been acting in for the past year. Is Mr Archer (Sr) by analogy equating APNU with criminals?
Yours faithfully,
Colin Sparman
For Management Committee
Guyana Gold and Diamond
Miners Association
