THE Cane Grove Rice Mill has given the assurance that it has satisfied all of the recommendations and requirements imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the operations of its rice mill and considers the statements issued by the Alliance For Change (AFC) and published in the Kaieteur News of Friday October, 12, inaccurate and irresponsible.

A release from the entity said: “The management of Cane Grove Rice Mill finds it regrettable and unacceptable that the leadership of the AFC, in the persons of its Executive Vice-Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo, and Executive Member, Gerhard Ramsaroop have not been diligent enough to meet with the management of the rice mill nor consult the hundreds of rice farmers served by the mill to ascertain the facts of this matter while purporting to represent the interest of residents in the area.”
The release asserted that in fact, some four persons who are illegally occupying land to which they have no title, to the leeward side of the rice mill designated as a reserve, have continually and erroneously complained about dust from the mill’s operations. The Cane Grove Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development have acknowledged that these persons are squatting on the reserve and should be relocated.
The management of Cane Grove Rice Mill said in May this year it offered some six acres of prime land in the district for the relocation of these persons and to help with their relocation.
“The management of the rice mill, from the inception of the mill’s operations under this new management, has been totally committed to protecting the environment from dust particle emissions from the operations of the rice mill and has engaged, at significant cost, professional consultancy services to advise them on regulating air pollution to conform to World Health Organisation air quality guidelines and standards,” the release said
The release added that the rice mill, working in collaboration with the EPA and on the advice of its environmental expert, has invested some $300M, over the last few years, in the installation of dust-control measures and mechanisms to ensure that the mill’s operations conform to the best international practices for dust-pollution control.  No other rice mill in Guyana is equipped with these facilities which include high- pressure sprinkler and state-of-the-art dust filter systems.
“Cane Grove Rice Mill provides  livelihoods for over 600 farmers and their families in Cane Grove and neighbouring communities. The management of the rice mill provides pre-crop financing, fuel, fertiliser and pesticide for these farmers and pays the farmers without exception, within 30 days of delivery of their paddy to the mill,” the release disclosed
“The Cane Grove Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), in a letter to the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, recognising the importance of the rice mill to the community, noted that the General Manager and owner of the rice mill, Mr Feyaadul Hakh, “assists farmers financially… in acquiring fuel for their machinery in preparation of their land and fertiliser for their crops” and has implemented “a pay later plan after reaping their crops,” the release said.
“The NDC has pointed out that it “has time and time again solicited Mr. Hakh’s assistance by using his machinery to do odd jobs for the improvement of the lives of the residents” and that the rice mill assists in the maintenance of bridges, roads and dams in the area at the expense of the mill,” the release noted.
The release also noted: “As the NDC points out, the Cane Grove rice milling operation is the single largest economic activity within the district and that its management frequently “reaches out to assist the poor, sick and needy in the district”.
“The AFC leadership is wrong on this matter and needs to get acquainted with the facts,” the release charged.