A claim of Corruption

May 24, 2013 Letters

Dear Editor,
Please be informed of an incident which involved the Toshao of Kabakaburi, Mr .Cleveland Simon, Two forest Rangers, Mr. Mc Andrew and Mr. Bhairo, and myself, on March 15, 2013.
Prior to March 15, 2013, I was the holder of a permit that allowed me to harvest lumber within the Kabakaburi Village Council Lands. My most recent permit was signed by Mr. Cleveland Simon. To remove my produce I often sought and obtained the Removal Documents from the village signed by Toshao Simon.
On February 20, 2013, I requested a Removal Document from the Toshao, he claimed that there was no “pass” in the village and that I should check back in the new week. I eventually checked with him for the Document on March 6, 2013. Surprisingly, Toshao Simon sharply demanded I ‘shoot’ a forty’ to him to uplift the pass. This means that I would have had to give him forty thousand dollars before receiving the Removal Document (pass).
Nine days later (March 15th 2013) I made yet another request for the pass from Toshao Simon and he bluntly said “I am not giving any.” He then invited me to a meeting for saw men at his residence. However, upon arriving at the venue he (Toshao) informed me that the meeting was postponed and promised me to check the lumber before issuing the pass. Later that same afternoon Mr Simon saw me at a shop and did not say anything about the pass.
I subsequently learnt that Mr .Simon collected two Rangers and travelled to Mapari Landing where the officers sprayed and detained the wood, my production. I suspected all was not well, so I rushed up to Mapari. On my arrival I approached Toshao Simon and tried to find out why my lumber was detained. He aggressively told me that whatever he feels to do he can do and whatever the forestry feels to they will do.
This brought my temper to its peak. I was very angry and with my bush knife (chopper) I dealt Toshao Simon one slap (the broad side of the chopper). Thereafter, verbal abuse ensued .
Not yet knowing the reason for the detention I visited the forest station and enquired on what grounds my lumber was detained. One officer, Mr. Dexter Mc Andrew, said that he could not tell me anything. At that moment I felt that I was drowned by my temper but quietly left. I remembered the officer said that they have 2000 BM in detention, while at Mapari I had 2800 BM.
On the said date in question GFC officers detained lumber from another person and whatever transpired the person got back his lumber and could have sold same on March 17, 2013. To date mine remains in the possession of G.F C . This I see as discrimination to its fullest.
According to Toshao Simon, in a letter to the Guyana Chronicle dated April 6, 2013, he claimed that the lumber was packed for transportation illegally. My lumber was lying at Mapari Landing Since February 9, 2013, awaiting the Removal Document.
Toshao Simon also claimed that a man believed to be the head of a group of loggers arrived and started to abuse him. I want to believe that he was referring to me, But I was in no group, I work or operate alone (solo) with his permission, until then.
Analysing the situation, I reckon that If I had given my Toshao (Mr. Simon) Forty Thousand Dollars then it would have been smooth sailing – not detension, no court.
Dexter

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