Last weekend June 27 – 28, 2015 Minister of Governance Hon. Raphael Trotman, accompanied by Mr. Audwin Rutherford MP. Region 10 and a team made up of senior representatives of the Guyana Geology &Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), the Ministry of Social Protection and the Assistant Regional Executive Officer, Region 10 paid an official visit to Region 10, Upper Demerara Upper Berbice.
Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman, and Member of Parliament for Region Ten, Audwin Rutherford being briefed by a RUSAL official on the company’s operations
During their two-day visit the team held discussions with the management of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc., toured RUSAL’s plant operations, the KURUBUKA – 22 Mines and held an onsite meeting with employees of the Company. The minister reiterated to the management of the bauxite company that the government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana expects that all investors respect the laws of Guyana, respect its citizens; especially its employees and be responsible stewards of the environment.
Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman( at left) Member of Parliament for Region Ten, Audwin Rutherford (at right), Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle (in plaid shirt), and Clayton Hall, Advisor to the Minister (second from right) being briefed by a RUSAL official at the Kurubuka 22 mine site
The Minister, the MP and team, visited the indigenous communities at Wairuni and Calcuni and met with the respective Village Captains and members of the communities.
The Kwakwani Community met with the Minister and team Saturday evening, and residents were able to bring to the attention of the Minister many issues that affect their wellbeing. These frank discussions went well into the night, and residents left satisfied that for the first time in a long time their voices and their needs were being heard.
Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman and team with RUSAL employees
The Minister assured the gathering that change has come and their voices and needs would be addressed in a structured manner so as to ensure an improved quality of life, and the sustainable development of their community.
On Sunday the team visited the Operations of Variety Woods and Greenheart Limited at Bamboo Landing, toured the saw mill and further processing facilities, met employees of the Company and held discussions with management.
The Minister was pleasantly satisfied with this site visit, the maintenance of standards for sustainable forest management, the level of production efficiency and the high quality of the timber products produced by VWL. (END)
Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman and team being given a tour of RUSAL’s Kurubuka 22 mines
A resident of Kwakwani raising an issue at the meeting with Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman
