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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 30, 2015
GGDMA calls attention to alleged bullyism in mining industry THE Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) is calling on the relevant authorities to arbitrate in a dispute between a miner operating a dredge on the Mazaruni River, and the Isseneru village council. “Miners cannot be subject to arbitrary double-tribute systems, and the whims of greedy village councils who have no right to bully and intimidate legitimate operators. The GGDMA condemns this sort of bullyism, and calls on the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, and the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs to recognise that this is not a “helpless” village council; rather, it is a council that has misled them
about the facts,” the GGDMA said in a statement Friday. In that statement, the association refutes as “erroneous utterances” media reports to the effect that a certain miner, despite being issued a cease order by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, was still operating in the area.
WIDESPREAD CONFLICT The area in question is near residential Isseneru on the Mazaruni River, in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), which, again according to reports, was the source of widespread conflict between the miner and
the villagers. The said conflict reportedly led to Vice-President of the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) Tony Jones pleading for something to be done immediately to resolve the matter. But the GGDMA is adamant that the miner at reference, “Who has been operating in the area legally and uninterrupted for several years, volunteered to reduce his operations to allow for an impartial inspection to be carried out by the GGMC. This was done; no fault was found. The miner was cleared of all accusations of impropriety and he was allowed to resume his operations.” According to the GGD-
Pizza Hut returns under new franchise
From left are Corum Group’s Padma Kunj Beharry, Latin America’s Franchise Coach Carlos Martines, Pizza Hut’s Director of Marketing Navin Singh and Banks DIH Marketing Executive Carlton Joao
By Alex Wayne PIZZA lovers will now have their expectations deliciously fulfilled by going no further than Pizza Hut which is back in Guyana under new franchise ownership. The extensive menu of the new Pizza Hut will include Cheesey Sticks, Cinnamon Sticks, Brownies, Hershey Dunkers, , and next year will include the Wing Street Line. The Corum Group which includes Gravity Lounge, Marble Slab Creamery and the distribution of Maybelline, Revlon, and Loreal products will now be adding the illustrious brand to its portfolio. At a brief launching ceremony at the Gravity Lounge on Thursday, Pizza Hut’s Director of Marketing, Navin
Singh told the media that six stores will be opened in the span of three years, providing direct employment for over 350 employees. Two stores will be opened before the end of 2015 at Camp and Regent Streets, Georgetown, and at Stabroek Square, and strictly Coca Cola products will be used at both locations. BULK and SLICES He said to meet the pockets of every Guyanese, the new Pizza Hut will be the only pizza provider selling in both bulk and slices. Banks DIH Marketing Executive, Carlton Joao expressed his company’s delight to be involved in the initiative, and very pleased to be working with all the parties involved. Franchise Coach for Latin America, Carlos Martinez said he was excited that Piz-
za Hut is once again back in Guyana and the Caribbean. He said that several exciting initiatives are planned for the new year, especially for the upcoming Olympic festivities. He further stated that the recent partnership among all parties involved is a positive initiative, since it will provide employment for many Guyanese. Padma Kunj BeHarry, Corum’s Director of Sales and Supply Chain said that the company is finding a way to ensure all Guyanese enjoy almost all the offers that are available overseas right here on the local shores. HOCKEY SPONSORSHIP Moreover, they will be sponsoring the GCC Girls Hockey Team for the next three years as well.
MA, the miner has donated some 32 ounces of gold since he began working downstream from Isseneru earlier this year. “This was after a discussion with the council, and a demand for payment of a 12% tribute. Despite not having any legal right to collect such tribute,” the GGDMA said, adding: PREVIOUS ARRANGEMENT “What has not yet been communicated to the public is the fact that the village and the miner also had a previous arrangement, whereby he was granted permission to operate the same river dredge on village lands (in the village buffer zone) in exchange for a 12% tribute. This deal was negotiated and put in place by the village council which collected the tribute.” The arrangement between the Village Council and the miner, GGDMA said, was stopped by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), as it is illegal to mine in a buffer zone. According to the GGDMA, “The current/new arrangement for the tribute for the river dredge was an additional agreement, based more
on previous partnerships rather than in a legal right to demand tribute for lands which are not within the village’s title.” The Village Council, it contends, should not be collecting tribute for lands that are not within their boundaries; and the Mazaruni River is not part of any village’s land. “Permission to operate in this river is the sole jurisdiction of the State and its agent, the GGMC,” the association said, adding: “One would have expected that this would have been made clear by the ruling in October this year by the Honourable Chief Justice.”
COURT RULING Back in October, Chief Justice Ian Chang and Puisne Judge Rishi Persaud ruled that the Village of Jawalla does not own, possess or control the Mazaruni River. “It is clear that the Mazaruni River is not part and parcel of the village lands of Jawalla,” the two judges said in their judgement, adding: “It also appears that the Mazaruni River does not pass through the village lands of Jawalla, or lands contiguous with the village lands of Jawalla.” They further ruled that the Mazaruni River appears
to “pass along” rather than “through” the village. The Village Council of Isseneru has also claimed that the “dragga” (water dredge) was mining on lands near the school and health centre, as well as upstream from the village. But according to the GGDMA, “These are all fabrications. The “dragga’ has been mining downstream, and unless the village is subject to special laws of nature, the water will not reverse its flow upstream. The truth can be verified by the GGMC and from the report of the investigative team.” The association maintains that the miner is within his legal right; “a right he pays for, to operate a legitimate, certified and regularly inspected operation.” According to the GGDMA, as recent as Wednesday, November 24, the ‘dragga” was inspected by GGMC officials, and given the ‘all clear”, meaning that “no violation was found.” The association said while it is not saying that the village doesn’t have a right to object to operations that endanger their village, the clause “is being used in an ad hoc manner, even where there are no credible threats, as coercion to bully miners into paying tribute or other donations.”
Rich Indian art forms celebrated THE Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha yesterday hosted its annual festival of arts, Kala Utsav, at the Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra, Prashad Nagar. More than 200 young people under the age of 25 participated in friendly competitions in the categories of Ramayan chanting, male and female singing, duet singing, classical dance, folk dance and kirtan. Kala Utsav, introduced by the Sabha more than 20 years ago, was conceived as an innovative way of propagating and preserving the Indian art forms. It aims to motivate young people to continue the traditions of their foreparents and to achieve excellence in the various art forms, while at the same
The audience at the Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra was captivated by a series of enthralling performances (Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha photo)
time building the talent bases in the various regions. It is widely seen as a launch pad for talented youths across the country and allows talent to be discovered for future development.
Trophies, certificates and cash incentives were given to all the participants. The visiting troupe from the National Ramlila Council of Trinidad presented a short piece to open the Utsav.