Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Bai Shan Lin to help repair Linden/Kwakwani road
Chinese logging company, Bai Shan Lin International Forest Development Inc., says it will be working with Region Ten residents to help fix a number of key roads in the area.
The company’s many container trucks have been blamed for contributing to the deteriorating roads, especially the Linden/Ituni/Kwakwani road. The rains have not been helping the situation either with residents even protesting.
Bai Shan Lin operations had been under scrutiny with its officials meeting representatives of the newly formed Linden/Kwakwani Road Users Association (LKRUA) on Thursday at the company’s Head Office at Providence, East Bank Demerara.
The meeting was to “further discuss a massive road rehabilitation programme set to get underway soon in Region Ten.”
The roads had been a major source of contention for the Region Ten administration, also.
Bai Shan Lin’s General Manager, Yu Mingxi, according to a statement issued, said the company stands ready to assist the road users’ association.
The LKRUA delegation, led by Chairman, Philip Bynoe, met with the Bai Shan Lin team after another meeting last month at Umana Yana, Kingston, to discuss plans surrounding the rehabilitation of the roadway and the inputs from several stakeholders.
Yu was briefed by LKRUA Secretary, Patricia Boyle, on some of the requirements for the road works, specifically as they relate to equipment. “Bai Shan Lin is currently in the process of examining Boyle’s request and is expected to assist with the rehabilitation efforts, as the company is doing now in Kwakwani.”
The discussion also focused on the possibility of a new arrangement between the company and the group regarding the purchase of logs.
Bai Shan Lin said that it remains committed to the road rehabilitation efforts and will continue to support such initiatives throughout the communities in which it operates.
The Chinese company came under flak after recent revelations and a delay in establishing wood processing plants here. The company has been granted significant concessions on equipment and vehicles.
Both the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Guyana Forestry Commission have been reluctant to speak on details of the concessions which include high-end vehicles like Lexus and Infiniti sports utility vehicles.
While under the regulations investors are allowed to bring in vehicles and equipment as part of the incentives, the concessions of the high-end vehicles raised eye-brows as these must be consistent with the operations.
The authorities had been unable to explain those luxury vehicles.
Additionally, the fact that Bai Shan Lin reportedly brought in the vehicles and scores of trucks, excavators, loaders and other items, even before its business operations for two forestry concessions had been approved, was seen as strange.
The Chinese company has also been cleared for a number of joint ventures with local operators.
Government has been extremely defensive of Bai Shan Lin and other foreign logging companies despite the delays by these in establishing operations that would have added value to the raw logs and help create more jobs.
Government said that the absence of cheap power has been a major deterrent to the value-added investment phase by loggers.
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