By Jomo Paul
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman, who is also responsible for the natural resources sector, says that recent revelations regarding the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) confirm that the mining sector is in a terrible state.
Reports in the media in recent weeks have pointed to lavish spending by GGMC Chairman, Clinton Williams and allegations of gross misconduct against Commissioner, Rickford Vieira.
Williams reportedly spent $4M on “food and drinks” in his 18 months at the helm of the commission while Vieira has been sent on administrative leave by the Commission.
Giving his take on the developments, Trotman told a post cabinet media briefing on Wednesday, December 16 that it will definitely aid government in forming an opinion on the future of the GGMC.
“What we see playing out in the media confirms everybody’s belief that the regulation of mining in Guyana is in a terrible state. There is no denying that. Steps have to be taken to clean it up if we are to move forward on a healthy footing,” said the Governance Minister.
Trotman was reluctant to provide a comment on the allegations leveled against Williams and Vieira.
“Insofar as specific allegations against Mr Vieira and against the Chairman are concerned I would withhold any comment publicly – because I have seen comments and allegations leveled against both persons and at the end of the day the President…wants mining cleaned up.”
This is just another way for saying “we don’t know what de raas fuh do, we at a loss ” !!!!