Concerns have been raised by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and by extension the Natural Resources Ministry, over safety measures being employed at the Bartica sandpit, but Mayor Gifford Marshall has said that following timely interventions by the municipality, all is well at that facility.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Thursday, Bartica Mayor, His Worship Gifford Marshall, said works were done to ensure the environment is safe for workers to access the resources.
“The sandpit basically is a done deal. We had our concerns with GGMC. GGMC would’ve outlined a number of things we needed to put in place. We have so far achieved most of them. We know for sure that persons would’ve been taking sand from the sandpit and we will continue at the municipality to develop the area to ensure that the truck operators operate within a safe environment,” the Mayor said. While noting that works to enable all the recommendations made are progressing, Marshall noted that the Town Council is expecting a visit from the GGMC in regard to the projects which were completed. At that time, the necessary adjustments would also be made by the council.
“It’s a work in progress, and we just have a number of things to do to get it all sorted out. This is the month of September, so we are expecting a visit from GGMC sometime this month; and of course they will advise us on the work we’ve done, and if we’re progressing nicely or need adjustment in some areas,” he declared.
In the earlier part of this year, there were orders to close the sandpit at Five Miles, Bartica in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) following “dangerous safety infractions” that were said to have occurred there during a visit by the Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes.
Men were seen shovelling sand from a steep drop with unstable overburden, creating a situation which could have proven detrimental to workers. Additionally, millions in royalties were reportedly owed to the GGMC.
Just a few weeks after that incident, Mayor Marshall had indicated that the Council was facing some challenges relative to other pending projects. At a City Planning Project, he had taken the opportunity to explain how the municipality was affected.
This included the fact that all works would have been stalled until the matter was resolved and the sandpits were again up and running. It was a situation which was considered “unbearable,” he said.
“Of course, that means that all Government projects are on hold. That also means that private contractors cannot work. The banks are calling us and asking us what is happening, and it’s a situation that is getting unbearable, to say the least,” he said.
Mayor Marshall also posited that attempts were made to engage the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and if a positive outcome is not generated, then the Council would remain on the sidelines and the decision would be left to the people of Bartica.
Presently, he declared the project is somewhat settled after a temporary permit was given and their differences were settled with the agency.
“All in all, I think it is a settled project now. They have granted us a temporary permit. For some time now, we would’ve been able to work out our differences with GGMC.”

Source: GUYANATIMES