Minister of Local Govenement and Region Development, Nigel Dharamlall has instructed the Mabaruma Town Council to not cut down century-old rubber trees in the township. His directive comes hours after Guyanese launched a petiton to save the trees following an advisory by the Council that they will be cut to facilitate road works.
Dharamlall, in a Facebook post, wrote:
It was brought to my attention that the Mabaruma Town Council began cutting the rubber trees that are in the path of a road which was slated for construction since the last Government.
I was also informed that the consultation done under the last administration had agreement for the tress to be cut.
I have since instructed the Mayor and Regional Chair of the following:
1. Stop cutting the trees.
2. Publish the results of the consultation done under the last government with the names of persons and bodies participating.
3. Discuss with the Ministry of Public Works the best engineering solution to have the road constructed with the trees remaining.
