By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News |
MARUDI MOUNTAIN, REGION 9 — A routine community outreach by the Opposition took a contentious turn on Wednesday morning after a high-level delegation of Members of Parliament was physically barred from entering the Marudi settlement. The standoff at the checkpoint has sparked allegations of “dictatorial” overreach and claims that a “shadow city” of foreign nationals is operating freely while elected Guyanese representatives are locked out.
The delegation, led by APNU Youth Parliamentary Group Leader Dr. Terren Campbell and including MPs Sherod Duncan, Saiku Andrews, and Sharma Solomon, arrived at the Region 9 mining hub as part of a nationwide tour to engage with constituents on the rising cost of living.
The Locked Gate: “Permission Required?”
Upon arrival at the Marudi checkpoint, the MPs found the gates padlocked. Dr. Campbell reported that he was informed by Newell Dennison, Head of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), that “permission” was required to enter the settlement—a claim the MP rejected as legally baseless.
- First-Time Blockage: Dr. Campbell noted that in six months of traveling to mining communities like Mahdia, he has never been asked for permission to speak with Guyanese citizens.
- Constitutional Rights: The delegation argued that no GGMC regulation supersedes the right of a Member of Parliament to engage with their constituents.
“This is the first time in almost six months… that I have been blocked anywhere in Guyana. There is no law that allows the GGMC to prevent a Member of Parliament from engaging with his or her constituents. This confounded nonsense must stop.” — Dr. Terren Campbell, MP
The “Brazilian City” and Secret Gold Shipments
The primary source of the delegation’s anger was the apparent double standard at the gate. While the Guyanese MPs were kept out, they reportedly witnessed Brazilian nationals entering and leaving the area with no restriction.
- Wanted Men? Information received by the delegation suggests that two Guyanese individuals hold the mining rights at Marudi but have allegedly brought in Brazilian nationals, some of whom are claimed to be wanted by the Brazilian government.
- The “Hidden” Economy: Residents informed the MPs that an estimated US$5 million in gold is being extracted from Marudi Mountain and transported via helicopter to avoid detection.
- Surveillance: The delegation was further alarmed by reports that site surveillance cameras had identified their arrival, triggering a direct order from “the center” to deny them entry.
Cost of Living Crisis in the Interior
Beyond the legal standoff, the MPs were there to highlight the “unbearable” economic strain on interior residents.
- Water at a Premium: Dr. Campbell highlighted that a single bottle of water in the Marudi area has reached a staggering $500, symbolizing the severe inflation hitting mining and farming families in the Deep South Rupununi.
At a Glance: The Marudi Standoff
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Marudi Mountain Checkpoint, Region 9 |
| Delegation | Dr. Terren Campbell, Sherod Duncan, Saiku Andrews, Sharma Solomon |
| Alleged Barrier | GGMC “Permission” requirement |
| The Contradiction | Brazilians reportedly allowed free movement |
| Economic Note | Bottled water priced at $500 GYD |
Conclusion: A “Dictatorial” Shift?
The Opposition has characterized the incident as a “PPP power move,” labeling it an anti-democratic effort to hide the true scale of mining activities in Region 9 from public scrutiny. As the delegation continues its tour of the Rupununi, the “Marudi Lockdown” is being held up as a flashpoint for the debate over transparency and the rights of elected officials in Guyana’s “frontier” regions.
