Rampant corruption in Upper Mazaruni

Oct 30, 2013 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I am writing this letter from Imbaimadai, Upper Mazaruni River. I have been here for the past three months, and was able to reconnect to the area quite easily. I passed this way in 1986 when I successfully led an Army patrol to the summit of the majestic Mount Ayanganna. I took the opportunity to sail the nine miles or so to Chi Chi Foot, and climbed the 2,586-foot mountain.
As I have said, I did this already, but that was over 27 years ago. This time around I huffed and puffed my way to the mountain top: but I made it, and in good time too – 19 minutes.  But that is not what this letter is about.
I walked the three hours into Chinoweing although with some difficulties – I found out that although I can walk as far as when I was younger, I cannot walk as fast. But that is not the purpose of this letter either.
At Chinoweing, I went to see an unsung hero. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to see this area again. I stood in the village and stared at the giant mound in the blue distance and then realized how this historical land mark dwarfed everything around it. I gazed, and the memories just started to flood back.
I could see the building we used as our base camp. Although a bit weather-beaten, it is still standing strong. I could see Sgt Harris getting the men in and equipment in readiness for the grueling task ahead.
I could see Cpls. Small and Gordon giving critical support to their sergeant. Then there were Ptes. Williams and Gibson, the two signalers. Pte. Williams was selected to man the base camp which was also a relay station between the patrol and Camp Ayanganna. Pte. Gibson was the signaler that went on the patrol. But that is not the subject of this letter.
On that patrol was a young guide – 15 years old at that time – Gabriel George. This lad was courageous in accepting the challenge in the absence of the regular guide Mr. Jerry Isaacs of Jawalla who was ill. I recently enquired about him from some of his villagers and was told that he died some years ago. I think the army owes his a lot of gratitude. I was told that he was the guide since the first patrol to mark our independence from Great Britain.
I went to see Gabriel but did not since he was in his farm to harvest crops in preparation for Heritage celebrations. The Army also owes him a lot of gratitude. He is one of the many unsung heroes that the public knows nothing of. But I am not writing about unsung heroes today.
Back at Imbaimadai, a land of plenty, there is untold sufferings. I have seen many young women, mostly Amerindians, virtually living in squalor. Obviously, they do what they know best – they pawn their bodies by the hour to the miners in the area.  Life up here is very expensive since the only mode of transportation to and from the coast is via aircraft. If one is not engaged in mining, then it is hard times for them.
The government needs to explore the possibility of pushing a road to the area. Maybe the administrators can divert the funds from Marriott and Amaila to make this a reality. But judging from the psyche of this government, it is definitely a no-no – the Upper Mazaruni did not support them in the last elections. The people of this area are therefore condemned to a life that is filled with hardships.
But my letter is not about that either.
The real purpose of my letter is to highlight the systemic and systematic corruption that exists among public officials – namely the police and the GGMC Officers. As I have said over and over again, I am well known across this country. Therefore it was not long before I met persons that I knew. Some of these persons, all of whom are miners, have detailed to me instances of intimidation and extortion at the hands of both the Police and officers of GGMC.
I am not sure though that these persons will come forward out of fear of victimization. Hence a possible method of finding out is by planting an undercover officer in the area and the culprits are bound to be caught.
I know for sure, though, that a Special Branch rank is being used as a strong arm for an influential businessman in the area. I know for sure that a GGMC officer was given a bribe by a dredge owner in exchange for the officer’s disregard for alleged infringements of the Mining Act.
I will be in the area for a while and will be looking to see the response of those in authority especially in view of the recent pronouncements of the governing party on the issues of racism and corruption.
Somehow I am not confident that anything will be done since I know of two Ministers of Government, one in the Local Government Ministry and the other in the Ministry of Agriculture who are downright bigoted, and I can tell them that to their faces. These men were elected to the Central Committee of their party.
I also know of a former Regional Executive Officer, who was dismissed from his job in Region Six. He too was elected to the Central Executive Committee. If the government is serious about corruption and racism, these men have got to be purged; but then again, this in my opinion is asking too much of the leader of the party.
Carl A. Parker (Snr)
Regional Councillor
Region Nine

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