Cult of Secrecy and the Environment

Cult of secrecy and the environment

Dear Editor,

What else is/are on these ships leaving Guyana besides the obviously
visible?

There is a very rigorous screening process at the Post Office in Guyana
to mail a package to any overseas destinations, but no apparent
supervision during the loading of a ship.

Recently, a very observant Guyanese, Mr. Patrick Jackson, brought to
the nation's attention that a ship was being loaded apparently without
any customs' supervision. (SN Wed. Dec. 27th, 2006. Which Timber
exporters had cargo on the Rong Cheng?). Clearly visible on the
Chinese–registered ship were logs being loaded from a pontoon.

Obviously, Mr. P. Jackson's questions have failed to get any
satisfactory qualitative (types of logs) and/or quantitative (number of
logs) response from the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), (SN Jan 3rd,
2007). This is particularly even more puzzling in that we just read
(See refs in Ms. Janette Bulkan's letter Kaieteur News and SN, Jan
17th, 2007), that the GFC claims that it has the best national logging
tracking system (LTS) in the world.

Assuming that the system is still viable, the GFC would therefore have
no problems detailing what logs are being loaded, etc. I cannot
understand why the information (the species of logs, number of logs,
values of the logs, and who/ where the logs are destined to/for) is a
State secret. These are not the secrets of an industrial process.

By not answering the questions, the Commissioner has created further
misgivings in the minds of concerned citizens. We expect more openness
from the GFC, particularly in light of the fact the Commissioner had
just made a statement in the media (SN, Nov 17th, 2006) that the public
should direct questions/concerns to the GFC's office. Mr. P. Jackson
did as directed - only to be told that the information is not available
to the public.

This is a democracy; why should such information not be made public?
Why is the GFC so afraid of public oversight? Dr C. Jagan (1994) had
implored the public to be involved: “I want to assure you that you
must
be part and parcel of the policing apparatus. We don't have enough
money or resources in the Geology and Mines Commission or personnel in
the GFC. We don't have enough vehicles; we don't have boats to police
the vast interior. I say today….work closely not only with the army
and
the security forces, but also with the Geology and Mines Commission and
with the GFC, and become part of protecting your own rights.” The
eyes/ears of a vigilant public are to our nations' advantage. Is Dr C.
Jagan's request no longer in effect?

The GFC is there to serve the interests of the people of Guyana . The
GFC, by its refusal to answer the questions of Mr. Jackson, has
unfortunately and inadvertently created doubts with regards to its own
competence and effectiveness. That is, one is left to wonder whether
the GFC has any clue with regards to that particular shipment and
whether it is withholding the truth to cover its own or someone else's
blunder or directive. It is reasonable to assume that if the GFC had
the pertinent information on hand, that it would have made it public
immediately.

Why the secrecy? Was it not secrecy or lack of public input or
oversight that got us into these bad deals in the first place? How
would others report seeming infractions?

In any case, I have to take the Commissioner's word that everything was
above board, and that nothing is amiss here. We hope that he is right.
However, those with an investigative background may well ask what else
was being loaded during this unsupervised period?

Therefore what I read (SN Jan 3rd, 2007) bothers me: “The letter
writer
stated that the photos showed no Customs or GFC official present at the
loading of the ship, but a GFC official said that officers of the
agency don't have to be on hand every minute during the loading of the
logs on the ships.” This seems like a very cavalier way/attitude in
looking after the nation's business. I did not realise that so many
ships were being simultaneously loaded with products (e.g. logs) for
export that we do not have enough ‘qualified forestry customs
officers'
to oversee the loading of this one particular ship. Or, is it that the
Customs Officers never showed up, or were conveniently late?

Not having Customs officials there indicate a rather gaping hole in our
security. We are already fighting the undesirable and harmful image of
Guyana being a major transshipment point for illegal drugs from South
American drug cartels. Why make it easier for unscrupulous persons to
capitalise on the illegal use of our ports?

The Chinese Govt. is very seriously cracking down on the entry of
cocaine and other illegal drugs into China for use by its own citizenry
(the rising middle class and young); they will not view this potential
breach very lightly. The USA, Europe, and British Govt., etc will also
not take this so lightly.

The illegal wildlife trade destined for Asian countries (for use in
exotic foods and medicine) is growing rapidly around the world. For
example, poachers are killing tigers in India, rhinoceros in Kenya,
apes in Uganda and Congo, and bears in Canada to meet the demands of
this market. With the rise of the large middle class in China, there is
greater demand for exotic wildlife. This places a lot of stress on the
unprepared and relatively lightly-armed guardians/wardens of the state
forests /reserve/parks/etc of the developing world. Unfortunately, as
long as the demand is there, unscrupulous people will try to meet the
illegal market for the immediate financial rewards.

Regrettably, according to international experts, Asian governments (in
particular China) have not been effective (due to feeble efforts) in
shutting down the illegal wildlife trade.

The illegal wildlife trade is therefore very profitable. It is
therefore very possible for some unscrupulous persons to make big money
by illegally shipping Guyana's animals aboard these ships destined for
China or the Far East. The jaguars, monkeys, birds, snakes, etc. would
be particularly vulnerable.

We already know from local press reports that some bird species are
becoming scarce. (These losses will impact on the forestry industry,
ecotourism, conservation efforts, local ecology, etc.) We have also
heard complaints of illegal gold panning by forestry workers. It
therefore bothers me that the loading of these ships is not under
constant supervision. It is hard to believe that we are so negligent.

I hope that the EPA, the GFC, the Customs, and Police (Dock, Harbour,
or River patrols), Coast Guard, and the local environmental groups work
together to prevent the illegal trade of Guyana's wildlife.

The assistance of the Chinese Govt. officials in Guyana must be sought.
China is becoming very sensitive of its image in third world countries
(it is buying up natural resources) and also with environmental groups.
They will therefore help as much as they can. We have to ask first and
do so very politely.

I would like to thank Mr. Patrick Johnson for his keen observations. I
hope that all interested citizens continue to take an interest in the
business of the nation.

We must be ever vigilant as Dr. C. Jagan so rightly asked of us years
ago; it is our civic duty and responsibility, irrespective of what
‘our' current political leadership and Government officials think.
The nation's business is our business.


Seelochan Beharry

Kaieteur News 1/25/2007