POLICE Commissioner Seelall Persaud urges the mining community not to get its “expectations beyond the reach of the economy,” even as the lawmen work towards putting a further dent in the incidence of crime in the mining districts. He promised that soon new checkpoints will be set up and stronger intelligence gathering techniques employed to confront the security challenges that have dogged. Persaud made the comments on Tuesday to Guyana Chronicle while addressing concerns about the lack of resources and what appears to be slothfulness on the part of the Guyana Police Force to tighten up security in mining communities across the country. Persaud told Guyana Chronicle that he understands and agrees that there is a need for better security arrangements in the mining districts but citizens must also understand the constraints of developing countries like Guyana. He noted that the force is doing the best it can with its limited resources. “You know, we operate in a developing country and these are developing a country’s realities…the realities of small economies. So you can’t get your expectations beyond the reach of the economy,” he told Guyana Chronicle.
Notwithstanding the constraints however, the Police Commissioner remains optimistic that in time, the required resources will be allocated. “Incrementally we are getting resources and we are developing capacity. The interior is only one part of Guyana that we have to address security issues,” he said.
At the moment, the force is collaborating with all stakeholders with the aim of coming up with a solution; a task Persaud says will take time. “We did a plan last year based on heavy consultations particularly with the miners, the association, the Ministry of Natural Resources so there is a plan which includes a lot of collaboration…”
He assured the Guyana Chronicle that with time; he will set up new locations and establish new checkpoints and the like to address the issue of security. Added to those things, he noted that “lots of intelligence” will be used to ensure crimes are solved and if possible prevented. The Police Commissioner’s remarks come at a time when the mining industry has been crying out about the number of robberies and killings within mining communities. On Tuesday, President David Granger committed to having improved security within mining communities stating that “there must be better security in mining districts.” The President was scheduled to meet with Chief of Staff Mark Phillips and Persaud on Wednesday to address the issue.
Only recently, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) said it is “very concerned about the increase in crime, violence, murders, trafficking in persons, drugs and other illegal activities that have increased in the mining communities.”
Former president of the association Patrick Harding said from all appearances, the back dams are being “managed by mines officers, rangers and police who set out to enrich themselves.” And in light of that view, President Granger issued a stern warning to all in the Public Service about their involvement in bribery and other acts of corruption. “No public official will escape the law,” the President warned while stating that he wants “unbribable mines officers,” working in mining communities.
FIREARMS
Illegal firearms in mining communities are rampant and are a cause for serious concern by miners. Miners are fearful for their lives as unarmed mines officers cannot serve to protect miners. “The Claim Holder is at the mercy of those “new bandits”, only the claim holder with a security force with bigger guns can survive,” the GGDMA said. Many miners have applied for firearm licences but unfortunately some of those applications have not been approved. “The Commissioner of Police stated that Guyana Police Force understands the situation in the mining communities and is prepared to support miners to expedite the issuance of firearm licences to bona fide miners, to fast track approval for larger miner or mining company that want to set up its own Security Personnel, to have a system of continuous roving patrols and to have regular meetings with GGDMA and GGMC on security requirements, a shared communication system and technology especially since new mining lands are being opened up or extended,” Patrick Harding of the GGDMA stated at the Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) last week.
But while, the Police Force through the Police Commissioner have provided full assurance to expedite applications for firearm licences, the process is not that simple. Harding said that miners have informed him, while he was president of the association that to get approval for firearm licence you have to provide a proof of many documents. “…to get approval for firearm licence you have to provide financial statements, VAT Registration, GRA Liability, NIS/PAYE; transport for land, proof of current address, etc. This encourages the applicant to by-pass the system,” he said. Harding believes that while the association has always urged its members and all miners to support and assist the police while carrying out their operations, it is becoming increasingly difficult on miners to protect their hard earned properties. The back dam he said has become “no man’s land”.

By Ariana Gordon