Dear Editor,
On-going revelations of the government’s investment policies provide enough evidence for concern that our best interest, the protection and preservation of the country’s resources, environment and laws aren’t primary factors guiding decision-making. Citizens are confronted daily with situations that are causing growing disquiet in our confidence that the government cares about us.
Many Government investment arrangements are shrouded in dubious dealings and secrecy, with the voting public always holding the dirty end of the stick. Thus, it came as no surprise Baishanlin (BSL) is now embroiled in legal wrangling.
Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) categorically denies the recent BSL’s statement that it was hindered by our administration in the construction and development of a processing plant at Concepcion, Bamia. Over the years, the region has been engaging BSL with the aim of facilitating mutually beneficial relationships consistent with our laws and the communities directly impacted by its operations.
BSL, in violating our laws, disrespecting our rights and threatening our environment for its enrichment is unabashed in its deception to achieve its end. The government’s response to these abuses with a public relations campaign is bound to guarantee a crisis of confidence in its management. At all times, BSL has failed to fully honour its commitments to agreements, residents and Region 10. In some cases, BSL sought to defraud the people, which are generally felt to be with the government’s connivance.
Cases in point are:-
Coomacka
From the outset, BSL assured the RDC that with the establishment of a processing plant, there would be jobs available for some eighty residents. Presently this plant employs less than 25% of Guyanese workers, with a number of employees being paid $500 a day to stay at home.
Bamia
Protestations of residents against NICIL’s non-renewal of leased lands brought to the fore BSL’s intention to establish a processing plant at Concepcion. The Government of Guyana has issued no official word on this matter. Efforts to access information on this project from relevant authorities such as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GG&MC), Environmental Protection Agency and the Guyana Lands & Surveys Commission, proved futile. These agencies could offer little, if any relevant information. The RDC has since raised the issue with Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud, and is still to be provided with answers. The RDC remains concerned that BSL’s operation has been sanctioned without proper environmental assessment conducted by the relevant authority.
Moblissa
BSL has destroyed the $40 million ‘farm to market’ road with the use of its heavy duty vehicles. This has resulted in increased prices for farm produce and has imposed physical hardships on residents relying on the road as their main access. After repeated attempts through the 21st August 2012 engagement with Central Government, several meetings with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and BSL’s representatives including the General Manager, Guyana Forestry Commission’s representatives, and the region’s consultant Mr. Charles Ceres, the company committed to repair the road in a timely manner.
Further, BSL has failed to honour its commitment to:
- Immediately halt the unauthorised removal of loam from areas in the region. It is to be noted that 47 tonnes had already been removed, posing threats to contamination of ground water, compromising the structural integrity of the Moblissa road, etc.
- Conduct an environmental assessment of the impact of the crater created through BSL’s operations.
- Conduct an ESIA on its operations in Region 10.
- Employ a social scientist to allow the company to better understand the extent of its impact on the residents of this community.
The RDC in seeking to have BSL rehabilitate the Moblissa Road arranged to have access granted for the removal of material from laterite pits at Wismar. Additionally, the RDC sought the cooperation of the Linden Mayor and Town Council to waive McKenzie-Wismar Bridge or Kara Kara booth tariffs for BSL transportation of the material. Unfortunately, BSL abused this concession and, in a three-day period, transported more than 140 truckloads of material to further the construction of its processing plant at Conception. And even after an agreement and being granted concessions, it took repeated engagements with the company and threats by the residents to realise the rehabilitation of the Moblissa Road. It also took two cease orders from the GG&MC for BSL to halt its removal of loam from Moblissa.
It is noteworthy that BSL’s attempts to fix the road – from the Soesdyke-Linden Highway to the creek – have not been satisfactorily completed.
Kwakwani
The same uncaring attitude of BSL that resulted in the destruction of Moblissa road is seen on the Linden-Ituni-Kwakwani Road. A journey that previously took an hour and a half to two hours is now taking in excess of three hours. On September 5, 2013 Kwakwani residents had cause to protest the destruction of the road.
RDC’s position
The RDC is not interested nor has ever sought to undermine BSL’s investment in the region. The RDC is interested in achieving, and is seeking to achieve, a situation that provides mutual benefits to the residents and BSL in tandem with the laws and regulations needed to build Guyana, protect the people and secure the environment, and this goes for every business. The Region 10 administration will continue to hold BSL accountable to these standards and looks forward to the day when the people can confidently say their government desires the same and is prepared to support and protect them.
Yours faithfully,
Sharma Solomon
Regional Chairman
Region 10
