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PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar met with representatives of the Amerindian Village of Isseneru, Middle Mazaruni yesterday to discuss the recent court ruling which resulted in a mining operation being given the go-ahead to operate within the village’s titled area. The Isseneru Village Council had contended that Joan Chang’s mining company was operating on titled lands without its permission as set out in the Amerindian Act of 2006, and had sought the intervention of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) which subsequently issued two cease work orders on the miners. Chang then moved to the courts, and High Court Justice Diana Insanally, on January 17, ruled that Chang had been granted a mining licence before the Act came into force, and therefore, neither the Council nor the GGMC had the authority to stop Chang’s operation.
“We intend to appeal this court ruling,” Isseneru Village Captain, Dennis Larson told GINA last evening after he and his team held discussions with President Ramotar.
He said that the residents were very disappointed with the decision and opined that the Amerindian Act needs to be further strengthened to give indigenous people a greater say and control over their titled lands. According to Larson, the ruling has serious implications for indigenous people as most of them reside in or close to potential mining areas.
Attorney at Law David James, one of the two legal representatives for the Isseneru Village Council, said that an appeal will be filed within the legal time-frame specified according to law.
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, who was also part of the discussions yesterday, said that government has been following the case very closely as they too were a party to it through the GGMC. She also said that government has assured the residents of its support. “We will work together with respect to examining the case and consider appealing”.
Minister Sukhai noted that while every piece of legislation is not totally perfect, the Amerindian Act is a strong one and she urged Amerindian communities to use the various clauses for protection. She said that, in her opinion, the act is a very workable and strong one, but Amerindians must make use of it or it wouldn’t work for them. (GINA)
“We intend to appeal this court ruling,” Isseneru Village Captain, Dennis Larson told GINA last evening after he and his team held discussions with President Ramotar.
He said that the residents were very disappointed with the decision and opined that the Amerindian Act needs to be further strengthened to give indigenous people a greater say and control over their titled lands. According to Larson, the ruling has serious implications for indigenous people as most of them reside in or close to potential mining areas.
Attorney at Law David James, one of the two legal representatives for the Isseneru Village Council, said that an appeal will be filed within the legal time-frame specified according to law.
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, who was also part of the discussions yesterday, said that government has been following the case very closely as they too were a party to it through the GGMC. She also said that government has assured the residents of its support. “We will work together with respect to examining the case and consider appealing”.
Minister Sukhai noted that while every piece of legislation is not totally perfect, the Amerindian Act is a strong one and she urged Amerindian communities to use the various clauses for protection. She said that, in her opinion, the act is a very workable and strong one, but Amerindians must make use of it or it wouldn’t work for them. (GINA)
