[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Executive of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) met with Commissioner of Police (ag) Seelall Persaud at the Association`s Head Office on Sunday September 6.
The meeting was an informal one. Meetings with GGDMA and serving Commissioners of Police are a well-established practice which was initiated by late Commissioner Laurie Lewis. The GGDMA has met periodically with other Commissioners in the past but this was the first meeting with Persaud.
According to the GGDMA, the meeting described as a brunch brings together leading miners and senior ranks of the Police to discuss pressing security issues affecting the mining industry.
Some of the matters discussed at were the number of murders and robberies reported in the hinterland. “Again the problem of illegal shops was highlighted. These illegal shops are cover for illegal activities such as the selling of drugs, firearms, trafficking in persons and the promotion of prostitution,” a statement noted.
The training for private security personnel attached to mining firms was also addressed.
The GPF is currently preparing a programme to tackle crime in the interior and Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine is the lead officer for this programme which will be presented to key stakeholders such as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Forestry Commission and other agencies with interests in the hinterland.
Among those who attended the meeting was Clinton Williams –Chairman of GGMC, Commander Hicken of A Division, Commander Brutus of E Division, Commander Ramsay of F Division and Ramnarine of Police Operations; other leading miners and their security personnel were also in attendance.
