Latest update November 17th, 2024 1:00 AM
Latest News
- Guyana received US$5.4B in royalty, profits from 500M barrels pumped to date
- Final audit report of Exxon’s US$7.3B expenses sent to company, to be made public next week – Minister Bharrat
- Israeli air raid on Gaza City school turned shelter kills 10 people
- Baby dies, toddler severely burnt in Sophia fire
- Venezuelan- orchestrated cyber operations targeting Guyana – National Defence Institute
Bartica IMC official speaks out on behalf of miners
In light of moves to reduce the cost of production in the mining industry, calls are being made for a reduction in the access toll required to enter the mining districts.
Public Relations and Press Officer of the Bartica Interim Management Committee (IMC), Sherwin Downer, has however been pointing specific fingers in the quest to help lower the high cost of production.
The official is particularly calling out the Mekdeci Mining Company (MMC), even insisting that the company should reduce the fees impose on miners to access the country’s mining areas.
MMC, the official said, controls the majority of toll stations that lead to the mining districts especially those at Itaballi and Sharima Landing. According to him, “I am not in a position to pronounce on other communities (but) I could speak directly for Bartica. The monopoly that MMC has on toll stations leading into mining district must end now.”
Sherwyn Downer, Bartica IMC’s Press and Public Relations Officer
Downer has put forward a number of recommendations to address the near monopoly situation including a proposal to give a resident and/or a member of the business community of Bartica control of the toll station at Itaballi for instance. Downer has gone as far as making damning claims against the MMC. He has pointed out that while revenue is constantly collected from the miners there is little to nothing being done for them.
“The contributions of miners to the development of Bartica have not gone unnoticed,” said Downer. “Bartica depends heavily on mining so my call is in the interest of my community which is the gateway to the interior,” he added.
According to Downer, apart from his personal call for a reduction of the toll he has been approached by a number of miners from Bartica to raise the issue in question on their behalf.
“They themselves would like to, but are afraid of being victimized,” intimated Downer as he signalled his intention to reach out to the Gold and Diamond Miners Association to support his call for a reduction of the toll fees. “It is in the interest of their members and if this is successful it will benefit all stakeholders,” said Downer.
“While I’m not a miner it does not take a miner to be part of the solution and a solution is very much needed for the industry at present. Raising issues of concern to miners is a risk I am willing to take as long as it has to do with my community.
“I am willing to be bold and vocal as possible on any issue in the interest of my community; I have the interest of my community at heart,” insisted Downer.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The PPP is in the grip of the bourgeoisie
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur news- The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) stands at a crossroads. Once the vanguard... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
