I firmly believe that this was a “shakedown” operation

Jan 03, 2020 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

A recent article published in the Kaieteur News spoke of some GGMC Mines Officers and instances of corruption. I would like to add some evidence to support same.
I am a shop owner at Puruni Landing and my place of business was visited recently by an official who claimed to be responsible for managing Trading Licences. I was in Georgetown at the time doing business. The official, who is not stationed in the area, presented a notice to my shop attendant indicating that the trading in gold with the licence would be suspended from January 2020. However, if I wish to continue doing business, one ounce of raw gold must be paid to him
when he visits in January.
It is my understanding that the said person had made similar proposals to other shop owners. Upon return to the Puruni Landing two days after, I visited the GGMC’s office to enquire about the basis of the notice, and was told by the Mines Officer stationed there that he had no knowledge of such notice and would have to check with his supervisor. He did acknowledge that the official who served the notice works at the GGMC, but in another department.
This act of corrupt intent must be highlighted in an effort to remove those individuals who engage in such practices from the GGMC.
I have interacted on a number of occasions with officers of the Commission and found many to be hard working and honest, however there are a few, such as the individual who give the notice, who must be investigated and the necessary action taken.
I firmly believe that this was a “shakedown” operation since the officer station at the Puruni Landing confessed that he was in no way connected to that individual.
Disgusted Puruni Landing shop owner

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