Regarding mining activities at Tigri

Legislators on Monday asked several questions regarding the mining activities that are being conducted in the South Western region of Suriname that is called Tigri and that is being claimed by Guyana. MP Chandrikapersad Santokhi (VHP) asked the government to give an explanation regarding the footage that is circulating on social media. The footage clearly shows that activities are being conducted in the disputed area. “We do not know if the government has launched an investigation. The footage is available and the coordinates are also there”, said MP Santokhi who did not rule out the possibility that somebody tampered with the footage and the coordinates. “It is up to the government to get to the bottom of this.”

MP Marinus Bee (ABOP) pointed out that if it were up to him, a military unit would be sent to Tigri to restore order. He pointed out that the government opted to deploy soldiers in the staff village at Moengo to prevent lawlessness. MP Santokhi explained that when he was the minister of Justice and Police he and the Guyanese and Brazilian authorities put an end to undesired mining activities at Tigri. The mining activities did not have the approval of the three countries. “Go and check out what is happening over there”, said MP Santokhi. MP Mahinder Jogi (VHP) and MP Asiskumar Gajadien (VHP) previously presented the issue to parliament.