I am pleased to see that government, by extension the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, has sought international support to address corruption and other illegal activities within the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). The article published in the Kaieteur News edition of June 23, 2012 stated that support has been sought from Canadian law enforcement, collaborating with the Guyana Police Force to investigate a fraud.
Mr. Editor, this is the type of initiative that is needed to return credibility to government ministries and other agencies that have gone wayward.
For too long, the GGMC and the mining sector have been neglected and left unmanaged, which has cast aspersions on officers’ credibility; and this new type of support is necessary to improve the performance of the commission and integrity of its officers, particularly field officers.
I have been attentively following the news as it relates to the mining sector, and I can unequivocally state that miners and the industry as a whole are pleased with the new appointments and other transformational changes being spearheaded by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment to improve services to the mining sector.
Further, I do hope that the investigation will bring to light revelations that will ultimately improve the operation of the Commission, which needs to prepare for the many challenges that the increased price for gold will bring.
Finally, I end by saying that change is not always easy, but is necessary for survival in the competitive global environment in which we all conduct our daily activities, and in which we live. I therefore commend Minister Robert Persaud and the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, for their actions will contribute positively in transforming the mining sector and sustainably managing our natural resources.