“We do not depend solely on the government”

Dear Editor,

I WAS enlightened by the media on the announcement by the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment to revise the Mining Act. This will pave the way for Guyana to become a modern society by updating legislations and implementing the new laws.I would like to assume that the recent discovery of oil by one of the world’s most powerful corporations has prompted the government to make changes to include International Laws.
On the other hand, I would also like to assume that changes are being made to put systems and penalties in place to prevent smuggling of gold and precious stones, mining accidents, Trafficking in persons and contamination of state forests and waterways among others.
However, the government must make its intention clear or its actions will become questionable.
Editor, as a youth from the Middle Mazaruni region, I am optimistic that the revision of the Amerindian and Mining Acts will be compatible if some sections are made crystal clear to suit present-day situations and not base the laws on an era that has long gone by.
I am also compelled to raise a few questions, because I would like to live in a society where everyone is equal to economic, social, cultural and political matters.
The Amerindian and Mining Acts are soon to be revised but will they;
(1) Provide jobs for youths by establishing more field stations in hinterland areas?
(2) Make river and creeks that pass through Indigenous communities safe and free of mining concessions?
(3) Allow Indigenous communities to develop their own resources without possible harassment by state agencies?
(4) Abolish the state policy of “All minerals belong to the state” that lies beneath top soil, including private lands” which may include Amerindian titled lands?
(5). Uphold and respect Indigenous rights where our people do not consent to large-scale mining?
(6) Respect that village rules must be upheld when any state agency needs to carry out an assessment of activities on Amerindian Lands?
There are many more questions that I would have liked to raise, but I will not abuse the space limits because others need to express their concerns.
Editor, we are living in a world where changes become realities and I wish to make a correction to one of Kaiteur News columnist (June 20th) distasteful and sometimes amateur writings which I see as a disrespectful and false assertion of Indigenous peoples and the way they live.
Indigenous communities like mine and many others have carved and chosen their own economic paths and do not depend solely on the government to provide financial resources.
Therefore, It would be morally wrong for the columnist to come to that conclusion that all Amerindians depend on patrons by not examining the realities of self development in these communities without receiving much financial assistance from the Government of Guyana. An open statement like this would make persons assume that this is dirty journalism to racially divide Amerindians from other ethnic groups.
However, this government needs to show the public that it is willing to establish change and I wish them continuous support from villages like Isseneru and others, who have waited long for a change in mining policies and the way State agencies transact their business.
For the columnist, I urge him to do a proper research before making such a despicable statement that Amerindians normally vote for their patrons.
Yours Faithfully,
Dwight Larson.
Isseneru Village.

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