Kwakwani Residents angered by APNU’s decision to block investment and employment

Residents of Kwakwani and surrounding communities are angry at the recent comments by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Executive Member, Lance Carberry that the party will be challenging the recent Mining Licence issued to RUSAL to expand its bauxite operation

“We met with officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and RUSAL last month where representation was made to create more jobs towards improving the livelihoods of residents of Kwakwani and surrounding communities” said one resident who has been looking forward to the expansion of the Bauxite sector.

Further, some residents are of the view that APNU should have welcomed the issuance of the mining licence, rather than making it a political issue to prevent the bauxite sector and communities from developing.

According to Carberry, “the move clearly illustrates the Guyana Government’s determination to have Region 10 communities remain improvised”. He remained adamant that the move by the government has to be challenged.

However, according to an earlier media release issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, “the issuance of the Mining Licence to RUSAL is intended to expand Region 10’s economic activities for social improvement as a means of pushing the major companies to expand and invest more in Guyana’s bauxite industry and the mining sector”.

Meanwhile, INEWS understands that the expansion is a realization of a promise made by President Donald Ramotar which seems to be the real contention of APNU’s decision to challenge the issuance of the mining licence.