Akawini should have had a say in Barama operations

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Akawini should have had a say in Barama operations
Kaieteur News
2 June 2007

Dear Editor,

I recently read about the decision taken by the community of Akawini to
sever ties with BARAMA Company Limited following the village's
dissatisfaction with the company's operations.

The village captain, according to reports, alleged that BARAMA was
underpaying its predominantly Amerindian workers, and is harvesting
certain prohibited and potentially poisonous species of timber, among
other apparent ‘transgressions'.

If these reports are accurate, then serious attention should be given
to this community in an effort to ensure that the rights and well-being
of the Amerindian people are upheld.

The community itself should, at some point, be held accountable since
any arrangement with potential investors must be approved by the
village council.

On the other hand, investors, both foreign and local, must be given a
fair and level playing field in which to operate. In cases where the
operations entail direct contact with villages, clear and comprehensive
agreements must be made in order to avoid undue harm to either party
involved.

At the end of the day however, Guyana still needs large scale investors
who are willing to plug substantial amounts into the economy, and who
possess the technical and other skills necessary to exploit our
resources.

The important aspect of this is to ensure that it is all done in a
transparent and sustainable way, beneficial to all parties involved.

Jason Hinds