Dear Editor,
In a letter published in the Stabroek News Mr Dwight Larson of Isseneru village Region 7 made a plea to various government agencies and ministries to intervene and stop the operations of a river dredge that was given permission to mine in close proximity to the village (‘GGMC has granted permission for river dredge near Isseneru’s residential area,’ Nov 3). Mr Larson wrote that the dredge is operating so close to the village that erosion could damage the foundations of the school and other buildings and the noise made by the dredge is affecting residents, not to mention environmental issues.
This is a sad scenario, but there is nothing that can be done legally to halt this operation because according to the recent ruling in the Jawalla case rivers cannot be owned by villages. It is quite obvious that the GGMC is bent on exploiting this loophole in the law as seen in the outcome of similar cases. There is also nothing in the Amerindian Act to stop the GGMC from giving permission for mining in rivers that run through villages.
Appealing to the Indigenous ministry for redress is a waste of time because legally the ministry cannot intervene, and obviously would not challenge the policies of the government.
I wonder how long will it take the Indigenous people to realize that in order to receive justice and a vast improvement in living standards the Amerindian Act (and parts of the constitution) will have to be revised or abolished. In its present form the act is not used for our development, but rather to give judgment against us in court cases.
There is not much that can be achieved in the Isseneru situation but at least it was expected that the National Toshoas Council would have been vocal in its support of this and other villages in similar situations, if only to justify their tax-free concessions. It is also quite noticeable that the Amerindian Peoples Association which was very active during the reign of the previous government has suddenly lost its voice. Where is the support from TAMOG and Peter Persaud? Maybe because this village did not support the PPP/C in the last elections they do not deserve representation.
In closing, it is worthwhile to note that a United Nations committee recently called on the government to revise the Amerindian Act 2006 and to address corruption at village level.
Yours faithfully,
Patrick Fitzpatrick
