Gov’t begins training for extractive sector wardens

GINA, GUYANA, Thursday, November 10, 2016

The Ministry of Natural Resources has submitted to Cabinet, its request for the establishment of a corps of wardens for the extractive sector.

Ministry of Natural Resources

Ministry of Natural Resources

At a post-Cabinet press briefing today, at the Ministry of the Presidency, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said the request for the establishment of the support body was made by Minister Raphael Trotman. Minister Trotman told Cabinet the number of illegal activities and non-compliance issues in the expanding extractive sector necessitated the need for the wardens, Harmon said.

“The need for a compliant and robust compliance programme across the extractive industries sector was therefore necessary and urgent,” Minister Harmon noted.

The wardens will be addressing “non-compliance with mining related regulations, provide institutional capacity to enable enforcement of the various regulatory frameworks, coordinate action against illegal mining, drug trafficking, deforestation and trafficking in persons” among other issues.

Minister Harmon stated that the wardens will be a “support of what is already there”. These officers will receive police training and additional specialised training to address issues affecting the various entities within the extractive sector, Harmon added.

“…for example, the GGMC, the corps of wardens will have specific training in matters relating to gold matters, relating to the use of chemicals in the hinterland and things of that nature. The wardens that will have to deal with forestry, will have specialised training in that area,” Harmon explained.

 

CATEGORIES
TAGS