By Lincoln Lewis

AS a people we have overcome the brutal and abominable systems of slavery and indentureship. We have fought colonialism, gained our independence and republican status, which means that we are responsible for making our own laws and determining our destiny.

No longer those who oppressed us or those of like mind exercise the prerogative to determine for us what is right and wrong, or when we must have what is justly ours.

History has shown that those who reside in the Upper Berbice River -Kwakwani, Aroaima and Hururu areas – have always stood up against injustice. For it was this group of workers, as a matter of principle, who in 1963 at the conclusion of the 80-day strike, struck for 10 days more demanding that those who broke the strike must not continue to work among them, and succeeded in having their demand met.

Having struggled for a number of years, today the residents of these communities and workers employed by foreign companies within the communities are being deprived of their rights under the laws of this land. These communities are made up of strong and determined citizens, proven in a history that records their construction of the current road between Kwakwani and Ituni through self-help. Workers utilised their days-off from the normal job and evenings to complete this arduous task.

The building of this road resulted in vehicles moving between Kwakwani and Ituni, covering the distance at times within 30-35 minutes. Today it takes as much as one hour to an hour-and-a-half to complete this journey due to the destruction done by the equipment of the foreign logging company, and the bauxite mining company.

Just over a fortnight ago, I journeyed to the community and it was observed that the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) still has a security checkpoint at the main road in Aroaima. Security at this checkpoint is demanding from citizens their names, addresses and destinations. It is obvious that a company that is managed by foreigners and co-owned by the Government of Guyana is prepared to continue transgressing the fundamental right to protection of freedom of movement in this society (Article 148-Guyana Constitution), and a signal is being sent to this nation that it is business as usual in some quarters.

Rights and the rule of law are sacred and form the cornerstone in civilised society. These are non-negotiable. If Guyanese cannot have their rights respected in the land of their birth, then the question must be asked: What next?

Journeying from Aroaima to Kwakwani on a road that was built by a local sawmiller, that road is in better condition than the road that was built by the BCGI which runs from the Kwakwani/Ituni road to their compound. It is interesting to note that the BCGI has abandoned the road that it ought to be maintaining and is instead using the road that was built and maintained by the local sawmiller. The roads in Kwakwani are the worst ever seen. In every community where a business exists that business shoulders a corporate responsibility to make appropriate contribution to the community’s existence and development, yet the BCGI is being allowed to abrogate its responsibility with impunity.

A resident of the Kwakwani community felt compelled to remind the audience that in 1969 then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham in a meeting held at the Workers Club described the foreign-owned Reynolds Bauxite as a modern-day indenture master. This assessment was made in a period when garbage was properly disposed, roads were maintained, the playground properly mowed, but the overriding issue of workers’/citizens’ rights in the community was still questionable. Burnham saw Guyanese rights as supreme and moved to ensure they were respected.

There and then, he laid down his Government’s position to realise the removal of discrimination in the community. He mandated that with immediate effect, every citizen must have access to the services of the Kwakwani hospital. The special days for shopping at the Commissary and the Jim Crow “pass system” to enter the community were ordered removed, with immediate effect. Cheddi Jagan, then Leader of the Opposition, supported the position of the Burnham Government. Today, discrimination has returned under the BCGI management.

In 2009 scores of workers were suspended and dismissed by the company for exercising their right under Article 147 of the Constitution. This transgression had the support of the Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar Governments. Such has been the level of governmental support that for almost six years the workers’ cry for justice has become like a voice in the wilderness. Other atrocities have also been meted out to these workers, including threats by a spade-wielding foreign manager, risks to health, safety and lives, the consequence of which has seen some fall ill and some have died.

If in 1969 Burnham and Jagan stood up as patriots to ensure Guyanese received their deserving respect, such can again happen in 2015. The act by these gentlemen sent a clear message that no foreign company or individual will have their support in trampling the citizens. Now that we are a republic, making our own laws and determining our destiny, and rights are integral to development, it is expected that the newly elected officials will stand up to make sure that they build on the foundation prepared by these gentlemen and deliver the required leadership.

The BCGI is co-owned by the people of Guyana through the Government of Guyana. This company pays no tax on royalties but is given the privilege to dig out the bowels of this country and cart off our non-renewable resource to develop another country. This was the type of buccaneering investments the Jagdeo and Ramotar Governments were involved in.

The APNU+AFC are called upon to correct such injustice, since citizens’ rights are enshrined in the laws they have sworn to uphold. Workers and citizens can no longer wait or should have to suffer more to have their rights respected, to enjoy what have been guaranteed them. Their expectations are consistent with the Constitution that is devoid of time-frame to enjoy the Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, which in itself means that these are immediate and continuous.