Chinese company Rong-An Inc has submitted an application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for permission to conduct logging within the Upper Berbice District, Region No.6.
The EPA in a notice published by yesterday’s Guyana Chronicle said that the proposed logging activity is intended to harvest timber from the area for processing. It said that the Environmental Protection Act Cap 20;05 requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before a decision can be made to approve or reject the proposed project, since this development may significantly impact the environment.
The agency said that citizens are invited within twenty-eight days of this notice to make written submissions to the EPA, setting out those questions and matters which they require to be addressed or considered in the EIA.
Rong-An Inc was registered here in 2006 under the Companies Act Cap 89:01 and is known for logging which commenced in its primary operations in 2012.
The company is headquartered at 139 Lindley Avenue, Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara
Its first forest concession TSA 01/17 is located between the right bank of the Berbice River and left bank of the Corentyne River and occupies a total area of 57,927 hectares (143,139 acres) with a 40-year cutting cycle.
The second forest concession LC 01/2021 is located on the right bank of the Barama River with a total area of 409,820.74 hectares (1,012,685 acres).
The Project Summary compiled by the EPA said the negative impacts could include: dust and vibration when using assorted heavy-duty equipment like bulldozers and front end loaders.
In relation to impact on water courses and air quality; road construction in particular will necessitate a whole range of earth works including the creation of pits which create dust and erosion. Eroded material will pollute waterways if not managed properly, followed by dust which impacts their air quality.
Logging could also destroy assets of Indigenous or archaeological value.
The proposed project has a duration of 50 years.
On August 7th last year Rong-An Inc distanced itself from controversial Chinese businessman Su Zhi Rong who had been caught making damning allegations in an undercover operation by US media agency Vice News.
“Contrary to the public pronouncement and assumption, this is to inform the general public that Su Zhi Rong is not in any way connected with the company Rong-An Inc.,” a notice in the Kaieteur News stated.
The company stated that Su served from 23rd May 2012 to 5th January 2016 and then they notified the Registrar that he was no longer a director.
