New River Triangle debacle…Mursi deal
will pose a threat to National Security
…GDF had objected to a previous attempt – Chris Ram
The Permission granted by Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, to Muri Brasil Ventures Inc, to survey more than two million hectares of land in Guyana for rare earth elements will pose a border and security threat.
This is according to Financial Analyst, Christopher Ram, who is in latest writings points out that the Permission Area is located at the confluence of the Kuyuwini and Essequibo Rivers and is right on the border.
Financial Analyst, Christopher Ram
“Indeed, Annex A to the permission states that Point C of the area is located approximately three hundred yards from the Brazil Guyana border”.
According to Ram, had the Minister done the kind of background research which one associates with such major decisions, he would have recognised that the national policy was against any commercial activity in the area.
“Had he applied his mind to his action he would have recognised that a potential consequence of his decision is a practical erosion of Guyana’s border, since the issue of the eighteen Prospecting Licences leading to mining in the area will render the border exposed and vulnerable.”
According to Ram, “national security and territorial integrity could be compromised over a huge swathe of Guyana.”
He reminded that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) raised their voices in opposition in an earlier attempt under the Cheddi Jagan Administration.
Ram questioned if “its policy changed or is it simply a function of personnel at the top?”
He said that “It is to ensure that we are not exposed to such threats – as Robert Persaud’s action now does – that the GDF is given a place on the Board of the Geology and Mines Commission.”
He said that the “tragedy is that the law allows Persaud to bypass the GGMC and engage in the kind of recklessness starkly demonstrated by the Muri permission.”
Ram also questioned what would be the implications for the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy and the nation’s commitments to Norway and the international community, “that fell for Bharrat Jagdeo’s blandishments and embrace of the environment is also an issue here.”
Ram suggested too that, the LCDS was a mere faÇade, “a charade in the name of responsible and clean government.”
Regarding the threats to the security and border that Ram suggested that could be incurred as a result of the deal inked by Minister Persaud, the financial analyst drew reference to the fact that it has drawn a not particularly friendly reaction from Suriname.
President Donald Ramotar
In that country, its Deputy Speaker of Parliament is calling for her country to lodge a formal complaint with Guyana.
According to Ram, “that will certainly complicate issues even as the bigger question remains the border with Brazil.”
He said that Guyanese will now wait to see if President Donald Ramotar will define himself and protect the integrity of the borders of this country.
“Decisive action on this issue will give some credibility to his Presidency…If he fails to act now, nothing ever will.”
Ram has suggested that, in face of the implications and improprieties, President Ramotar has only one option in this matter.
According to Ram, the President must scrap the ‘Permission to survey’ given to the company and relieve Robert Persaud of any ministerial duties.
Ram suggested that Persaud’s Ministerial performance has been characterised by some grave lapses and his commitment to responsible governance and accountability is even poorer than Guyana’s.
Minister Robert Persaud