Dear Editor
THE National Mining Syndicate wishes to inform the public on the status of leadership and management of the syndicate groups. It is incumbent upon us at this point, to clarify, educate and enlighten misinformed persons, who have been using various mediums to publicise much misinformation either in ignorance or deliberately, to effect some reaction that may be contrary to the objective and purpose of The National Mining Syndicate.
As is evident over the past weeks, ‘malicious elements’ within the mining sector have been using uncanny means to deter and dissuade the public from supporting the efforts of the Government to bring a balance in the mining sector. “It is time that Guyanese enjoy Guyana. It is time that every race, colour and creed have a fair opportunity to work towards self-empowerment. For too long the cries for equality have gone unanswered.”
What else can be the motive of someone who magnifies injustice and inequality against his fellow man other than pure “EVIL?” Now, the mining syndicate groups consist of persons throughout the 83,000 square miles of Guyana. There is not one syndicate group so far that has all of its members from one particular geographic location. The membership is a mixed group of persons from different administrative regions in Guyana. The point to note here is that membership was and still is open to persons from any village, town, or district. Persons join groups that are convenient and accessible to their area of work or interest, thus the membership.
Syndicate leaders evolved from decisions of the group members, either by election or selection. In most instances, unanimous selection, due to the level of advocacy, initiative and tact exercised by those individuals. These leaders were very instrumental in fostering interest, organizing and mobilizing persons into forming these groups, through various means of public awareness. They were determined to ensure that persons who are unemployed and financially handicapped, and were forced to settle as a security for millions of dollars in equipment they own in backdams across the mining districts, learn of the opportunities to regain their employment status; all of which they did on a pro bono basis to help their brothers and sisters in plights.
We wish to make it empathically clear, that at no point were these groups influenced by any ministerial office to elect, select or appoint anyone. As a matter of fact, these groups where formed prior to meeting any government official, for which they had already determined those to lead and support the efforts of the group, which were simple, transparent processes decided upon by their small membership unanimously. Today, we can say that the hard work of these persons have generated so much interest in the syndicate system, that these initially small insignificant numbers have outgrown their expectations in terms of membership. The current membership of the collective syndicate groups is well over a few hundred persons and has been growing daily.
Finally, the name given to the syndicate group has no restrictions on its membership, and as such it is unfair to make public pronouncements in ignorance. As a means of honouring their mining area, syndicate groups adopted and used the name of the mining area as part of their group name. The names are only relative to the mining district and not residents; membership is open to both residents and non-residents of these districts/areas.
Regards
Renwick Solomon
Chairman of the National Mining Syndicate (ag)