The Ministry of Natural Resources (MoNR) yesterday commissioned its first Warden Station at Dagg Point, Bartica.
According to a MoNR release, the station, named ‘Black Caiman’, is the first of its kind and will dispatch warden patrols into the natural resources sector. The Corps of Wardens is mandated to support the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), which are regulatory agencies that operate in the sector.
Present at the commissioning ceremony were the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; Director of Compliance, Derick Lawrence; regional officials; the Corps of Wardens; and senior MoNR staff.
The Corps of Wardens was established in 2017 by Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman following a mandate by President David Granger in 2016, to create a group of trained and equipped officers tasked with ensuring the protection and preservation of Guyana’s natural resources by strengthening compliance monitoring and enforcement capabilities.
Trotman, in his remarks, congratulated Lawrence and the Corps or Wardens on this achievement while explaining that the purpose of this station, and the others to come, are to serve and protect. He noted that it was quite fitting that the station is being opened in Bartica, given that the town is known as the gateway into the interior.
He added that the story of the Corps of Wardens is one of vision, valour, and victory, and reminded that the Black Caiman station is a tangible expression of the vision of President David Granger. He also urged the station to set the standard for guarding Guyana’s natural resources and to maintain a high level of integrity.
Lawrence gave an overview of the ‘Black Caiman’ and explained that the station has been built to accommodate 16 wardens allowing them to better protect, conserve and sustain the nation’s heritage. These wardens he said, will be deployed in the area to carry out their duties in the natural resources sector and were expected to do so fearlessly, and with honour.
Also making remarks was the Chairman of Region Seven Gordon Bradford who noted that the station is greatly appreciated, given that Bartica has suffered from illegal activities in the sector.
With the ‘Black Caiman’ now commissioned, the MoNR is looking forward to the construction of two other warden stations at Omai and Aranka.
