Release Date: September 19, 2018
The document describes a near-tragic incident on the Upper Mazaruni River in Guyana, where a community outing was almost turned into a catastrophe due to an illegally anchored Brazilian ‘dragga’. The cable from the dragga rose out of the water, narrowly missing the passengers lying on mattresses. The incident highlights the daily hazards faced by indigenous communities navigating this river, exacerbated by mining operations. The Policy Forum Guyana (PFG) criticizes the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC) for its inaction, attributed to possible corruption and influence from the mining lobby. The document calls for stronger legal protections for rivers and greater authority for Village Councils to manage river operations, ensuring the safety and rights of indigenous peoples.
The document describes a near-tragic incident on the Upper Mazaruni River in Guyana, where a community outing was almost turned into a catastrophe due to an illegally anchored Brazilian ‘dragga’. The cable from the dragga rose out of the water, narrowly missing the passengers lying on mattresses. The incident highlights the daily hazards faced by indigenous communities navigating this river, exacerbated by mining operations. The Policy Forum Guyana (PFG) criticizes the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC) for its inaction, attributed to possible corruption and influence from the mining lobby. The document calls for stronger legal protections for rivers and greater authority for Village Councils to manage river operations, ensuring the safety and rights of indigenous peoples.