On Wednesday, 10 October 2012, The Alliance For Change (AFC), represented by its Vice Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo, executive member Gerhard Ramsaroop, Lenny Singh (AFC ECD MC) and Kojo McPherson paid a visit to Cane Grove on the invitation of the residents once again. The residents were lamenting the continued problems they are facing with dust emanating from the rice mill operated by Mr Feyaadul Hakh for a few years now.
Residents again showed the AFC their homes, with the dust being evident everywhere. They are forced to keep their windows locked, but even that does not keep the dust out. Many complained of respiratory ailments and itchy skin. One person even brought out her children who she said were asthmatic as a result of the dust.
Another resident, Jasoda Abdool, had to buy a blower to help control the dust in her yard. However, that was not the end of her story. She was born and bred in Cane Grove, and after spending twenty-four years in the United States, she and her husband came back to retire there. They built a beautiful home that they now cannot enjoy, and has lost its value because of the operations of the rice mill.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), inexplicably, is taking a soft stance on the issue including referring to residents as squatters. The residents in the immediate vicinity of the rice mill are not squatters, but mainly the descendants of the sugar workers who were given the lands of the old sugar estate that was closed in 1947. Moreover, there is at least one documented case of the EPA requiring a sand pit operator to sign an agreement with squatters before it would grant its environmental permit.
Mr Hakh, being a large rice miller with strong links to the PPP/C Government, is taking advantage of the people in Cane Grove many of whom he provides employment for. In addition, he enjoys the support of the rice farmers to whom he also supplies fertiliser. It would appear, therefore, that he feels that that gives him sufficient licence to do as he pleases. However, other rice millers who similarly operate where people live, including one nearby across from the Mahaica market, have had to install dust collection systems.
Documents were also shown to the AFC indicating no environmental permit was granted to Mr Hakh, nor was permission granted to erect additional silos. The AFC is disgusted that these flagrant breaches are being tolerated for so long. Moreover, despite numerous promises by Mr Hakh and Government officials, including past President, Bharrat Jagdeo and past Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, the situation remains the same. Also, Mr Anil Nandlall, now the Attorney General, had been retained by the residents some years ago, but according to them has long not communicated anything on the legal proceedings (if any).
The AFC remains committed to the powerless and downtrodden people of Guyana and is renewing its call for the relevant authorities to get Mr Hakh to remedy the situation soonest.
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