MINISTER of Public Security (MOPS), Khemraj Ramjattan has given a commitment to target the security issues within the mining sector, following a meeting with members of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA). According to Minister Ramjattan, several issues affecting local miners were raised by the GGDMA, particularly the serious security issues facing the sector. The Minister noted that “there has been a high incidence of crime in the mining areas which has to do with a lot of illegal shops which serve as cover for unlawful activities.”
“SWEEPS”
In an effort to tackle the high incidence of crime, Ramjattan pledged that there will be more enforcement of the law along with the support of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in setting up what they call “sweeps”, on a regular basis.
The shops, he noted, “are used as cover for drugs, prostitution, which drive other illegal activities, weapons possession and also cause robberies in areas where mining is being done… shops should be landings next to the river… and the assistance of the GGMC will be needed because some mining officers have also been granting permission for shops.”
Furthermore, the matter of illegal shops as cover for unlawful activities will be tackled immediately in order to halt these expeditiously as possible, as they intend to use the GGMC and the GGDMA to identify these shops.
FIREARM LICENCES
In addition, Minister Ramjattan disclosed that he intends to review the number of firearm licences granted to miners who have not met the criteria to be in possession of a firearm licence. “I will review them when the time comes up at the end of the year, because once they’ve left the mining sector it should be taken back.”
In future they will be aiming towards granting firearm licences to legitimate miners, therefore they will move towards quickening the practice of individual licences and licences for private security personnel, as big mining companies and firms don’t want a private personal firearm, but would rather a security licence.

The processing of these individual and security licences, due to elections earlier this year was halted. However, the Minister of Public Security stated that “not because you’re an applicant you get one, there is a big criteria that has to be met which is paying taxes, along with good behaviour within the sector, which we intend to work more closely with the police division in the area for frequent updates.”
MONITORING ‘CHECKPOINTS’
Meanwhile efforts will also be made to enforce the traffic laws and monitoring the ‘checkpoints’ where trucks are over-laden to the extent where they destroy roads and in turn contribute to higher transport costs and loss of time.
“We remain committed towards the maintenance of hinterland roads, and the implementation of the rules and regulations, as it relates to the road users’ agreement, so that it can be enforced, so that the triple axle trucks that carry 150 and more litres of fuel could be brought to an end,” said the Minister.