Mining Advocate receives death threats

Aug 02, 2015 News

– report made to police

Days after issuing a call for the full disclosure of the agreement inked between Canadian mining company Guyana Gold Fields and the previous People’s Progressive party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, Mining advocate, Sherwyn Downer, is reported to have received death threats.
According to the report, which Downer gave to police at the Bartica Police Station last Wednesday, he had just left his mother’s home on Tuesday evening at approximately 21:20hrs and was making his way on the road when a man, whom he did not recognize but who was dressed in a ‘camouflage’ outfit approached him.
According to Downer, the man’s next words left him frozen in shock. “Downer, the people ain’t want you dead, and they want you stop representing these workers.” With his piece said, the unidentified man then walked away, Downer related.
Downer has since sought legal advice from Attorney-at-Law Onassis Granville. Although the incident has left him shaken up, Downer is undeterred in his quest to provide a voice for miners.
“My agenda is patriotic and no amount of intimidation will stop me from championing the cause of the mining workers who have no voice and the high level of injustice that is meted out towards them on a daily basis,” he said recently.
Downer expressed surprise and disappointment that this was the response his efforts would bring, since his advocacy was only part of the solution to a troubled industry and its workforce. Downer also called for workers to stand together as one and speak out against any and all forms of injustice.
“They are not alone in their fight and their struggle for better working conditions and a decent take home salary. Mining workers salvations could very well be on its way.”
Downer, who formerly held the position of Press and Public Relations Officer of the Bartica Interim Management Committee, has been featured stating that his new focus was evoked by what he believes is the lack of respect for the rights of miners – despite their work being known to contribute significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
He has described as barbaric, the attempts or lack thereof, to ensure the safety of miners, a state of affairs he is convinced has been allowed to persist unabated for too long. Downer has consistently called for strict adherence to mining, labour, safety and health law, in addition to closer attention being paid to Miners by the Ministries of Labour and Mining organisations.
The mining advocate has consistently expressed the view that too many avoidable deaths are being recorded in the mining industry. He has been featured prominently issuing calls for defaulting mining operations to have their licenses revoked.
Most recently, Downer had called for the disclosure of the agreement that Guyana Goldfields has with the Government of Guyana, as well as more scrutiny on the company, citing complaints by its workforce. The Canadian company, which has been operating in Guyana since 1996, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the then PPP/C administration in 2011 for their Aurora Gold Project to get off the ground.

Latest News

Mining Advocate receives death threats

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Semi-Finals line up set for Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup 2024

Young Warriors Cricket Club fulfills its annual...

Chase’s Academic lift 2024 KFC Goodwill Int’l...

Remaining teams in the inaugural K&S/One...

Capital FC, Hi Stars, Silver Shattas win as...

Renuka, Mandhana consign West Indies to record...

Features/Columnists

This is our city

Breaking the Chains of Poverty: A need for political will

Jagdeo de GOAT

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Mining Advocate receives death threats

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]