–Broomes urges GGMC

MINISTER within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, is of the view that a certification programme should be instituted for casual workers attached to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, particularly within the Geological Services Division.

“They may not have a degree — a master’s or a bachelor’s — but they have the working experience,” Minister Broomes said.

The certification programme, she said, should be mandatory, so that with a certificate in hand, casual workers would be able to gain meaningful employment at other companies when their stint at GGMC is over, allowing them to begin new employment at a higher entry level. She has recommended that the certificate be issued seasonally.

“This would allow them to become marketable, and so I think this is something that should be done,” Minister Broomes said.

Minister Broomes made this recommendation to Gordon Nestor, acting manager of the Geological Services Division, and other senior geologists after being informed that workers from communities near and far would offer support to the division during many of its projects.

Currently, there are approximately 40 casual workers toiling alongside a team of 12 geologists and geo-technicians on the Mazaralli Regional Geochemical Exploration Project in the Cuyuni/Mazaruni District. Their work primarily involves the collection of 410 sediment samples which would be analysed for their mineral resource potential, and simultaneous mapping of the area.

Nestor, who appeared very receptive to the minister’s recommendation, said it is possible for the casual workers to receive a certificate, but posited that the programme must be carefully thought out.

“I would recommend that if you work four seasons with us and you would have obtained a lecture, specifically on how we go about our sampling, the ability to use a GPS and a compass, you should be presented with a certificate,” Nestor said.

Lawrence Simon, one of the geologists attached to the division, said that during each season, the casual workers, who hail from places like Moruca in the North West District and Linden in Region 10, and even Itaballi in Region Seven, would be taught the fundamentals of sampling, mapping, and the use of the GPS and compass.

“We do training, so when they are finished they are versed with the compass, the GPS and the map. And as you said, they don’t have the qualification but they have the know-how,” Simon posited.

Casual worker Fabian Ramdiall, who hails from the mining town of Linden, applauded the minister’s suggestion. “I think it would be good for us as individuals, because I have been working with GGMC since 2014, and I have learnt a lot. I learnt how to use the GPS, the compass, and mapping a bit,” he told Guyana Chronicle.

Another Lindener, Vibert Dickson, said he has been working with the GGMC since he was 20 years old. “I think it would be good for GGMC to provide us with certificates, just in case we want to work with another company. We would have the certificate to show that we have experience in this field,” Dickson posited.

He also expressed hope of gaining permanent employment at the GGMC through the Geo Services Division.
“Is years now I working with them, and I would like for it to be a permanent job,” he added.

The project to which the casuals are currently giving support covers approximately 1,800 square kilometres located between the Cuyuni and Mazaruni rivers, with Itaballi and Takutu to the east and west, and Piari and Oku to the north and south. The work is expected to be completed in early December.