Feb 22, 2014

Dear Editor,

The purpose of this letter is to let the public know about our problems in the Micobie Amerindian Village. I am a concerned resident of Micobie, which is located in the lower Potaro River, Region 8.

At present in Micobie Village titled land there is a mining company from Georgetown. This company is claiming the land and the riverbed which fall within the boundaries of the Micobie Village titled land in full view of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). The company has never approached Micobie Village concerning same.  Micobie was granted title to 23.59 square miles of its traditional lands on March, 2006 by virtue of presidential grant under the State Lands Act Cap 62.01. The company has given permission to the owner of a cutterhead dragger without official consent from the village council or the villagers. It is therefore my view that GGMC should have told the company that the permits are invalid without the consent of the village council. According to the Amerindian Act 2006 section 48 1 a miner who wishes  to carry out mining activities on village lands or in any river, creek, stream or other source of water within the boundaries of village lands shall obtain the necessary permission. Has this part of the Amerindian Act been abolished? It is my belief that the GGMC is being discriminatory towards our village lands. The council has made many complaints to the relevant authorities concerning this issue but to no avail; they have fallen on deaf ears. I am therefore appealing to the President, Prime Minister and Minister of Amerindian Affairs for their urgent intervention to take the necessary corrective action in relation to this issue.

 Yours faithfully,

R Roberts

 Editor’s note

We are sending a copy of this letter to the GGMC for any comment they might wish to make.

http://www.stabroeknews.com/20...-without-permission/