Protesters block Omai access road again over dust nuisance
Stabroek News
April 14, 2003

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Just a day after Omai gold mines and other interior companies regained use of a vital artery, Linden protesters yesterday again dug up the road rendering it impassable and saying that they want the dust nuisance being caused by it ended.

It was the latest twist in a two-week-old protest by residents of the mining town over the water and electricity crisis in Linden. Power and water supply was still unstable and inadequate in the town yesterday and blockade protests continued at several points.

On Friday, President Bharrat Jagdeo visited the town and outlined a series of measures to bring short-term relief but at that point it was not clear that the dust nuisance on the road was a critical issue that the protesters wanted addressed.

The President is due to return to the town tomorrow as a follow up to his Friday visit.

Omai Gold Mines Limited (OGML) had recalled some of its workers on Saturday when the damaged road was repaired. Yesterday the company was once again forced to close off operations. The management had no other alternative after the road was once again dug up and closed by protestors in Linden. As such Omai can make no further shipments of oil or transport workers to fully resume operations.

Yesterday, Omai’s Human Resources Director Norman McLean confirmed this position at a community meeting with residents of the town mainly from Wisroc Housing Scheme, Blue Berry Hill and Block 22. He noted that after lengthy discussions with the residents an agreement could not be reached to allow for the reopening of the road. On Saturday after the road was reopened the company was allowed to transport 50,000 gallons of fuel to the site. “That is not even a day’s operation. A day’s operations is 60,000 gallons. We moved in eighty-four workers, which they permitted (referring to the protesters) and just when we were suppose to send some more today to maintain the operations...” they closed the road, McLean said.

Saturday morning, under heavy security, the main access road to the interior location was reopened. However as the day progressed and word circulated that there were police officers standing guard at the location, persons began digging other areas along the roadway recreating a block to vehicular traffic. It was reported that for most of the day the officers were given the task of trying to prevent the protesters from stopping the flow of traffic. However they were not successful.

Speaking with Stabroek News yesterday, several of the protesters said that they were not directly targeting Omai and are sorry that it is feeling the brunt of the exercise.

“The primary issues here in Linden is the electricity and water situation but one of the main reasons for us blocking this road is this dust nuisance that no one seems to be taking seriously.” One resident indicated.

Over the years residents of Wisroc, Blue Berry Hill and Block 22 have been complaining bitterly of the dust nuisance that they have been severely affected by. During the dry season, the road, which runs behind the three communities, is usually very dusty. Many have been complaining that the health of residents has been seriously affected. “My child is asthmatic. Every time he takes in (gets sick) the doctors say that his condition would not improve if I do not move out of that area where I live... but that is my house where else can I go? Moreover I can’t even hang my baby napkins or any other white clothing on my line. In my area most people have stopped using window blinds.” One woman complained.

They said that the matter is a years-old one and has been brought to the attention of the government and the users of the road. The main users are Mazda Mining, Toolsie Persaud Limited, Mekdeci Mining, members of the gold and diamond miners association, Omai Gold Mines Limited, DTL and others.

McLean said that the meeting with the residents yesterday was mainly to discuss the dust problem. He noted that it was agreed that the problem would be dealt with with President Jagdeo on his next visit scheduled for tomorrow in the mining town. “It is not a Omai problem alone. We have taken the initiative over the years but we are only a 15% user of the road.” The road in question is now the leading road to get to Mahdia, Mabura, Lethem and to Brazil. “The traffic has increased considerably since we stepped up that initiative. And I think it is now a national issue. It is a national road which would have to be approved and be built.”

McLean indicated that he has undertaken to invite other firms, which utilise the road to the meeting with the President tomorrow. He noted that over the years Omai had taken the initiative of inviting the very users of the road to discuss and negotiate possible solutions to the dust problems.

In the past Omai in cooperation with the Regional Administration and the other users of the road had taken several initiatives to address the situation. Omai had brought in a product called CONAID, which was tested on the road but did not work. It had also erected road signs and constructed roadblocks, all of which failed. Additionally it had issued notices to all its drivers to maintain a certain speed limit which residents claimed was never adhered to. The company had also suggested the use of waste oil to keep the dust down but was warned about the environmental problems that would have been caused.

In the meantime protesters continue to block the main road leading to Mabura and the main Mackenzie/Wismar bridge, which links the two banks.

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