MAHDIA, administrative capital of Region Eight, is expected to be furnished with paved roads through allocations in this year’s national budget.Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, who along with Junior Minister Simona Broomes visited the region for a two–day tour, said the administration has identified road improvements in the community as part of its agenda.

Addressing a gathering of residents from Mahdia and contiguous communities at the Mahdia Primary School on Sunday night, Minister Trotman said providing concrete roads has already been discussed and been included in this year’s national budget, which is expected to be presented by the Government in the weeks ahead.

“Many will be voting for that,” he said of Government’s support, adding that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure will be undertaking the task.

On their first trip to the region since having assumed the Natural Resources portfolio, Trotman and Broomes heard about a number of domestic and infrastructure issues affecting the mining community, particularly small miners. The small miners ventilated their dissatisfaction with mining on lands in the Tiger Creek area. This was the centre of discussion for most of the meeting.

Tiger Creek is at the centre of a dispute between two families, and a third party is laying claim to the land. The dispute reached the courts in mid-2015, and recently, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission’s acting Commissioner, Neuel Dennison, along with other officials from that mining body, visited the disputed site and instructed all parties involved to halt operations pending the court matter.

Several pork-knockers were removed from the site while working under unsafe conditions. GGMC officials told this newspaper that, a “gold rush” is on at Tiger Creek.

At Sunday night’s meeting, small miners vented their frustration at solutions proffered to their problems, and many criticised the GGMC sloth in its procedures.

One small miner told the gathering that his concerns surround the availability of lands for the miners. “Why we small miners can’t locate a piece of land to work?” he asked. He noted that some miners own four and six dredges, which they cannot use, given the unavailability of lands.

REPLACE THEM
Domestic issues were also brought to the fore. Member of Parliament Gloria Bancroft, who chaired the proceedings, suggested that the authorities replace all the police ranks stationed at the Mahdia Police Station.

She said that, as a mother, she believed that the police officers in the community were not serving as they should.

A Campbelltown mother in support of Bancroft’s views emotionally expressed disgust at the lack of attention given to the youth who abuse alcohol. She alluded to the use of date-rape as an issue, which many at the meeting told this newspaper occurs in the community.

Minister Broomes suggested that the police “lock-up” those shopkeepers who are found culpable. She made herself clear on her stance as Divisional Commander, Rabindranauth Budhram, who was seated at the head table, observed the topic as it was discussed.

It was noted by one resident that there are persons who approach the victims, and in some instances the lawmen in the community, with sums of money to sweep issues relating to rape under the carpet.

Janitor Natash Fraser informed the Government officials that she had not been paid her monthly salary for almost four months, and complained of the $18,000 light bill which she pays monthly.

Her monthly salary is $20,000. She said that she cleans two schools at Mahdia, and being a mother of four, she expressed frustration over the issue.

Broomes interjected during the discussion and said that the matter would be addressed immediately after the meeting. She said that the woman is entitled to her payment at the end of the month, and she also informed the woman that there exists a minimum wage bracket.

VILLAGE COUNCIL
Toshao of Micobie Village, John Andrey, was concerned about the rights of his Village Council as regards the operating of mining activities on the village lands.
He said it appeared that the GGMC had “more rights” than the Village Council. His concerns were noted by the visiting ministerial team.

Earlier, Minister Trotman told the residents that he recognised the May 2015 elections results were very close for the region. He said the results represented the will of the people, noting that the region has chosen Bonaventure Fredericks, who was seated at the head table, to be Regional Chairman.

According to Trotman, “Mahdia is important to you as it is important for us.” This was received by loud cheers from the audience.

Sunday night’s meeting was attended by officials from the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), technical persons from the GGMC and the Ministry of Infrastructure.

By Alva Solomon