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In an effort to have open discussions on issues affecting the mining industry and identifying viable solutions to these issues, Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee and Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsarran, were invited by Mr. Robert M. Persaud, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment to share plans for the hinterland and to address issues raised by the GGDMA.
In congratulating the Association and all miners for their record achievement in gold declaration of 438,000 ounces, Minister Persaud reflected on the cooperative and supportive relationship in 2012 between the Ministry and GGDMA.
He also stated that the Ministry, jointly with the GGDMA and all stakeholders, will continue to have frequent discussions to take advantages of the opportunities within the mining sector and define ways to overcome challenges towards a sustainable and economically viable mining sector.
During his detailed interaction with miners, Minister Rohee took the opportunity to outline some of the initiatives that would be implemented in the Security Reform of the sector. One such reform is the move from the Guyana Police Force to the Guyana Police Service with the aim of increasing the efficiency, reliability and the effectiveness of services being offered by the police to the general public and to ensure that these services are delivered in as professional a manner as possible.
Severance of the E & F Divisions into separate and distinct divisions headed by Senior Police Officers, to better serve the needs of the mining communities was also communicated to the Association.
Miners were informed by Minister Rohee that the process for the application and granting of firearms licences was revised and all applications would be reviewed by a Firearm License Approval Board which will be established to ensure that the process is transparent, structured, efficient and just. In addition, the application process will be computerised to expedite and streamline the process.
Increased mobility of the Police Service and the establishment of a new Floating Outpost and strategic checkpoints are all measures designed specifically to cater to the security needs of the mining communities, he pointed out.
Minister Bheri Ramsarran provided an overview of the objectives of the Ministry of Health for the mining sector, with specific emphasis on the incidence of malaria in the hinterland and the measures that would be implemented to mitigate its transmission.
He stated that the mining sector is expected from the initial distribution of 50,000 Long Lasting Impregnated Nets (LLIN) which is scheduled to commence on the January 15, 2013. Distribution would primarily target Regions 1, 7 & 9 and other “hot spot” communities affected by Malaria, logging camps, permanent members of communities/villages, pregnant women and children, along with the elderly and disabled.
President of the GGDMA, Mr. Patrick Harding expressed appreciation on behalf of his members to Minister Persaud for inviting Ministers of Home Affairs and Health and their commitments to support the development of the mining sector.
Mr. Harding reaffirmed the commitment of his Association to work in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and other government agencies towards the growth and sustainability of the mining sector
Meanwhile, a number of initiatives were discussed and would be addressed under the framework established by the Ministry and GGDMA to review such matters.
