After Mousie Landing killings…
MINISTER of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee said the Administration had a functioning security plan for interior regions of this country ever since the events of 2008. But it has now been brought back to the front burner with the botched robbery at Mousie Landing, in Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni), which left two men dead and one wounded.
In the Sunday night attack, at Konawaruk, a miner and his attacker were killed while another miner injured.
The dead are dredge owner Devon Thomas popularly called ‘Tall Boy’, of Mainstay, Essequibo Coast and the robber Ossie Bourne, of Block 22 Wismar, Linden.
Clifford Andrews, 23, of Chenapau, who suffered gunshot injury in the melee, was air-dashed to the city on Monday and admitted to Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).
Minister Rohee, responding to questions from the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday, said although there are plans in place for the security sector, it does not mean that there will not be incidents of a criminal nature from time to time.
He said the Mousie Landing incident was a robbery gone wrong because one of the victims happened to have had a firearm.
Rohee said, since the Rondell ‘Fine Man’ Rawlins killings near Christmas Falls, in early 2008, the security sector has been meeting on a weekly basis to strengthen arrangements for Police Divisions E & F.
“We have put in place a number of arrangements to deal with these situations,” he disclosed.
According to him, he has not heard any complaints from any of the stakeholders, including Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) or the Forest Products Association (FPA).
Rohee said the security arrangements are being honoured by all the stakeholders.
About concerns of there not being enough personnel and vehicles to service the vast expanse of Guyana’s interior, the minister reminded that he ordered the Commissioner of Police to compile a complete inventory of all the Force’s vehicles so that the Ministry of Home Affairs could determine what are the needs.
Rohee said it should be a matter for the stakeholders to determine what form of identification would be required of persons before they are allowed entry into mining areas.
ENTICEMENT
He said the enticement of the uptake in gold prices, of late, will certainly be a consideration in formulating security plans because it is not only prospectors but also criminals who will be enticed by the opportunities.
Meanwhile, Executive Secretary of GGDMA, Mr. Edward Shields told this newspaper that, although a number of checkpoints have been established, there can be improvements in the way they are managed.
He said there continues to be the issue of mining privileges being used as a passport to the interior, instead of proper photographic identity.
Shields said a mining privilege will not be applicable to persons who, themselves, are not miners and many such persons seek access to the interior, some working in forestry or are shopkeepers.
He said the checkpoints are crucial to security but they need the backing of the full force of the Police.
Shields is contending that the system has not been upgraded for some time and GGDMA has recommended that the Police need a couple of other divisions.
The mining industry veteran said lack of resources is a problem for the Police and the Force needs to introduce risk allowance for its members who work in the dangerous mining districts.
“Without that support, the problem will persist,” Shields posited, adding that who could afford to recruit private security would do so while others are exposed to the mercies of the criminals.
He is of the view that the security situation should be given more prominent attention and expressed the willingness of GGDMA to work in conjunction with the Police to come to grips with the situation on the ground.
Shields said there is a regular hinterland security meeting involving the Police Commissioner and interior stakeholders but, because he has not participated for some time, he is unsure of its effectiveness.