Dear Editor,
In recent days, the power of the masses was revealed when various stakeholders united to make their voices heard and effectively shut down the much-maligned mining project in Aranaputa. Kudos must be given to the Regional Chairman of Region 9, Mr. Bryan Allicock for making a principled stand with the people of the North Rupununi, and standing up to the powers that be within his own party. This is the type of leadership the country needs and not a bunch of “yes men” whose primary objective is for material gain. What are the lessons that can be learnt from this entire fiasco?
1. First lesson learnt is that mining is economically, environmentally, and socially destructive, more so in indigenous communities. In addition, mining in Guyana is mostly catered to benefit the rich, connected and the powerful. No amount of money can replace damaged ecosystems and wetlands. There must therefore always be due diligence on any proposed mining projects on indigenous lands going forward. It is hoped that the NDC of Aranaputa has learnt a valuable lesson from this fiasco.
2. There should always be widespread consultations with communities on issues that may impact them. This Minister of Natural Resources is on record as saying the mining project was unanimously approved by the residents of Aranaputa. This is not entirely true. There were dissenting voices from within the community of Aranaputa, and in addition the majority of the community’s residents were not present at the Minister’s meeting when approval was given as claimed. The Minister also has to make it clear on why the nearby communities were not involved in the consultations when it was clear that the mining would have had widespread impacts on these communities. This is not how community-based development is done, Mr. Minister.
3. Indigenous people have the power to influence the political direction and trajectory of this nation. It seems at times they are blinded to this obvious fact or prefer to allow political allegiances to cloud their better judgement. It is time the residents of Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9 wake up to the reality that the party in power needs their votes at the ballot box because without these critical swing votes, neither of the two major political parties are guaranteed a majority. It is therefore imperative that the indigenous people hold the feet of this and future governments to the fire without fear when things are not transparently done.
4. Sustainable development is about ensuring the social and economic needs of communities are met while conserving and preserving the environment. It is saddening and disappointing therefore to see local indigenous politicians touting the achievements of the party in power and making it seem as if the lives of indigenous people have been greatly improved. Indigenous people need to do some introspection and ask themselves how much has their standard of living improved since May 26, 1966? Poverty is rife, social ills such as alcoholism and suicide are commonplace in indigenous communities, education in the hinterland lags behind the coast, and of course the indigenous people continue to be exploited and manipulated daily with little or no recourse for justice.
5. The Minister of Amerindian Affairs, as the chief representative of indigenous people in Guyana seems more focused on serving the business interests of the rich and powerful than actually putting the wellbeing of the indigenous people first. How can any right-minded Minister of Amerindian Affairs think that mining can benefit a community? Just look at the Marudi and Chinese Landing communities and the social, economic and environmental fallout? No amount of money is going to erase the devastating impacts of mining on those and surrounding communities. The famous Cree Indian prophecy which states “When the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten, and the last stream poisoned, you will realize that you cannot eat money” may one day come to pass, if indigenous people in Guyana continue to sit in stony silence as their rights are trampled on.
In conclusion, it is hoped the Aranaputa mining fiasco serves as a blueprint not only for indigenous communities across Guyana but other communities as well on how they can make their collective voices heard. By putting aside political differences and uniting for a common cause, so much can be achieved. The powerbrokers of this country who may seem to think it is their divine right to rule this country in any way they feel fit, should wake up to the reality that they are answerable to the people of this nation and when they step out of line, they should be punished at the ballot box. This is a rallying cry to make your voices heard, Guyanese! Elections are but a few months away!
Sincerely,
P. J. Abraham
