–in issuance of licences at Puruni Landing

AN investigation conducted by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has found glaring evidence of corruption in the issue of business and residential licences at Puruni Landing in the Middle Mazaruni Mining District 3.

The GGMC’s Mines Division has been taking corrective steps as it puts systems in place to roll back the effects of such corruption, according to Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes.

Mid last month, GGMC’s Mines Division had cause to board up nine business and residential buildings on the Puruni Landing after it was found that the owners had violated the Mining Act by subletting their premises.
The lessees were given one week to respond to a letter issued by the Commission, which concluded that they breached Regulation 70 (1) of the Mining Act, and the accompanying conditions.

A report of an in-depth investigation by the Mines Division found that the lessees were indeed in breach of the Act, and a number of the defaulters have since responded and are in the process of correcting the situation.

But according to Minister Broomes, there were even more shocking revelations, as according to a report submitted by the Mines Division, an individual in 2014 applied for a business licence to operate on the Puruni Landing and got it in a day, which is unprecedented. “This is just one of the corrupt transactions,” Minister Broomes told the Guyana Chronicle.

And although the GGMC had ordered that an individual who was involved in an “incident” with a Mines Officer at the Puruni Landing should not be issued a business licence in 2016 until the completion of an investigation, he was still able to acquire licences in 2017 and 2018, the minister reported.

The issued licences, according to Minister Broomes, even had the name of the holder on them, and were acquired in Bartica at GGMC’s branch office.
Minister Broomes said that while the government is not against persons doing business within the mining districts, such business must be conducted in keeping with the laws of the country.
“We don’t want to stop people from doing business,” she said, “but we want them to do so correctly.”

It was noted, too, that in addition to subletting, some persons who were granted permission to operate on the Landing have since expanded their boundaries.
“They will now have to adjust their boundaries,” Minister Broomes said, explaining that those areas illegally occupied were earmarked for essential facilities such as police outposts and health posts.

With the population of the Puruni Landing increasingly growing, Minister Broomes said it is important for facilities such as a police outpost to be set up there.
She said the GGMC will ensure that sufficient lots are made available to do so when persons readjust their boundaries.