Latest update March 30th, 2026 12:35 AM
Latest News
- ‘Guyana will never see fair share of profits without ring-fencing’ – AFC
- Guyana’s peak electricity demand to surpass 1,500 MW by 2030 – GPL
- Teen girl killed in Moblissa crash
- Unidentified teen found floating in Demerara River
- War on Iran: U.S.-Israel dropped 12,000 bombs, hit 10,000 targets, 1,937 dead
E’bo appeals for re-opening of Onderneeming sand, loam pits
The Capoey sandpit which is now used by truckers
The Region Two Democratic Council continues to pursue the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, for the re-opening of the Onderneeming sand and loam pits.
This is according to the Region Two Chairman, Devenand Ramdatt.
Kaieteur News was reliably informed that the sand and loam pits have now been closed for over a year, by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission [GGMC]. The extraction was done previously in the Onderneeming community– about six miles from Suddie on the Essequibo Coast. While the area used for operation was considered state land, it was still utilised and controlled by the region, for extractions.
As was communicated to the region by GGMC, that closure of the pits came in 2015 as the Regional Democratic Council was found operating in the sand and loam pits without approval. The Regional Chairman noted that before the extraction of sand and loam can commence, an environmental permit must be given, along with a pass from the GGMC.
Ramdatt said that directives were given to the administrators in 2015, to follow up on the matter. The Chairman explained, “The region was to first apply for the land in an effort to seek ownership from the Guyana Lands and Surveys. We must also acquire our environmental permit from the Environmental Protection Agency and then the approval has to come from the GGMC.”
Kaieteur News was told, that GGMC’s decision to close the sand and loam pits, has since had a negative impact on the residents, contractors, and operators who extract and transport sand and loam.
Sand and loam are used extensively on the Essequibo Coast for land filling, construction, and even the implementation of government projects. The Regional Chairman stressed that there is now an increase in cost per load, as transporters primarily use a longer distance to acquire sand and loam from Capoey.
Capoey is an Amerindian community located about three miles inland from Queenstown, holding fast to an enormous sandpit. An average of some 300 tons of sand is being removed from the pit on a daily basis, according to one trucker.
The trucker related to this publication, that for every load a toll of $1000 is attached, as compared to $650 at the Onderneeming sand pit.
At a meeting held with sand and loam operators, it was recommended that the Government intervene to have the operations temporarily continue, on a portion of land at Onderneeming back lands.
In the meantime, efforts are made by the RDC to secure its own sand and loam pits. Regional Chairman Ramdatt added, “At this stage, we want to ensure that we continue to pursue securing ownership and the relevant passes.
“Meanwhile, we are asking for a temporary solution to be put in place where the extraction can continue. We support the idea that it has to be closely monitored, because while the application is being processed our people are affected since they have to pay more for sand and loam.” (Romario Blair.)
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Sir. Ronald Sanders
The GHK Lall Column
Weekend Cartoon
