THE Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) said it welcomes the decision of the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, to set in train a process aimed at Guyana becoming a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). 

The EITI is an international mechanism encouraging transparency with respect to revenue transfers in countries engaged in extractive industries. Member countries commit to production of an annual country report by the government, which is independently verified by the international body. The ministry has also written the respective indigenous communities advising them that no mining-related road construction must take place within the Parabara, South Rupununi, location.
GHRA, in a statement yesterday, said the decision to seek membership of the EITI was announced during a meeting on Wednesday at the invitation of the ministry, between a GHRA delegation and a high-level team from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, to discuss mining matters of concern to the GHRA.
The ministerial team included Minister Robert Persaud, Permanent Secretary, Joslyn McKenzie and Deputy Commissioner of GGMC, Newell Dennison, while the GHRA was represented by two of its Co-Presidents Charles Sohan and Mike McCormack and Board Secretary, Michelle Kalamandeen.