ON the morning of June 21, 2008, the charred remains of eight miners were discovered by Leonard Arokium in the Upper Berbice River at Lindo Creek; but could it have been that the miners were killed long before that date?

On Thursday, the Commission of Inquiry (COI) led by Justice (Retired) Donald Trotman was told another tear-jerking story of a father and husband promising to make contact with his family for his daughter’s birthday, but never did, maybe because he was already dead.
Colette Wong said Clifton Wong, her husband for 21 years, had celebrated Mother’s Day and her birth anniversary (May 19) with her and their five children in May, 2008 before departing for Lindo Creek later that month.

Before leaving home, she said her husband promised that he would make contact with her upon arriving at Kwakwani, and as promised, he did. “He said ‘I love you, take care of the children…you will hear from me for Shaniza’s birthday, I will send out something so she can have a birthday’,” Mrs. Wong recalled as she broke down in tears.

Their second youngest daughter’s birthday was on June 13, and Mr. Wong, who was commonly called Berry, had promised to make contact with his family ahead of the celebration and when he did not, they knew something was wrong. Mrs. Wong said she made contact with Leonard Arokium (the owner of the mining operation) and informed him that her husband had promised to send money for her ahead of their daughter’s birthday but he did not. She asked that he makes contact with her husband to ensure that all was well, and the camp owner reportedly said he would.

A few days after celebrating her daughter’s birthday, Mrs. Wong said while she was busy doing house chores, she heard on the news that eight miners had been killed, but paid little attention.

Later that night, she was awakened by a loud wrapping on the door and much to her surprise, it was her husband’s nephew, Tony Wong. “I bravely said hit me with it. He said you already heard, and I said there was a news flash. At that moment, I did not panic,” she recalled.

Mrs. Wong then reportedly made contract with Leonard Arokium, the owner of the mining operation at Lindo Creek, and was told that he was in a meeting and would return the call. He subsequently called, and confirmed Mrs. Wong’s worse fear.

“Upon hearing that I went upstairs; the children were already in their bed, and I woke them up and I said, he is no more, he is no more,” Mrs. Wong said inconsolably. Alicia Wong, their eldest daughter who lived close by, was minutes later informed.
According to her, their screams were so loud that they woke up the neighbours, who rushed over. Days later, she was visited by social welfare officers, reporters and the former Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green.

On July 4, 2008, a memorial service was held in honour of Mr. Wong, who by that time had been declared dead. Asked by the Commission’s legal counsel, Patrice Henry, if any relative of Mr. Wong had provided DNA samples, the woman responded in the affirmative while pointing out that her husband’s brother, Courtney Wong provided DNA samples.
Additionally, Mrs. Wong said that she was invited by a detective to provide a statement at ‘E’ and ‘F’ Division Headquarters at Eve Leary.

Her daughter Sheniza Wong Romaine, during her testimony, recalled that she and her father shared a very close relationship. In fact, Mrs. Romaine said her father would always make good on his promises, and when she did not hear from him, she thought that something was amiss.

Wayne Lee, Lancelot Lee’s brother, had related a similar story when he appeared before the Commission last Tuesday. Wayne Lee told the Commission that he had last seen his brother in May 2008. According to him, his brother who was 41 years old at the time, had promised to return to the city for his birthday on June 14, 2008, but never did, nor did he make contact with his family.

Clifton Wong and Lancelot Lee were among eight miners killed in Lindo Creek in June 2008. The other miners murdered were Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Horace Drakes, Bonny Harry, Compton Speirs and Nigel Torres.