Whipping up of environmental scare on New River Triangle is sheer ignorance – Environment Minister

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Following a series of articles published in relation to the survey being conducted in the New River Triangle, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud is of the view that the environmental scare which is being peddled by certain sections of society is nothing but “profound ignorance.”

The Minister took his frustration to his Facebook Page, where he responded to a number of queries and provided facts on the New River Permission for Geological and Geographical Survey (PGSS).

The Minister said, “The whipping up of environmental scare about the PGGS reflects either a profound ignorance of the scope of the activity or sheer mischief intended to mislead the public.

“There was no breach of process nor violation of any established legal processes as stated in our laws on the granting of the PGGS. This is not the first PGGS to be granted in Guyana.”

The Environment Minister debunked claims that 2.2 million acres of land was transferred to the company conducting the survey – Muri Brasil Ventures Inc.

“The map just delineates the area over which the aerial and other surveys will be carried out. I will defend any legal and sovereign act that seeks to take our country to a new development height and bring prosperity to our people while not compromising our resolve to properly manage the environment.”

He believes that the articles published are aimed at  stifling Guyana’s development.

“It is sad that those who have an axe to grind would want to stall progress and prevent Guyanese from investing in our nation’s development. The New River area is part of our territory. Guyana is free to explore and examine potential in that or at any location in our 214,970 sq. km.”

Meanwhile, also venting on Facebook is Former President of the Private Sector Commission, Gerry Gouveia who noted that Golden Star Resources flew hundreds of similar missions over North West; costing them millions of US dollars.

“This is just and data collection exercise. We are attacking every attempt at investment in Guyana,” Gouveia wrote on his Page.

He also shared the sentiment that the articles are geared towards suffocating the country’s development.

“There seem to be a strategy to bring the country and the economy to a halt. Decision makers are being attacked for making decisions and investors are being attacked for investing,” the Former PSC wrote.