APNU Calls for Urgent Action on Mining Safety, 2022 Census, and Electoral Reform

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has urged immediate and transparent action from the government on critical national issues, citing gaps in mining safety, delayed census data, and electoral weaknesses as evidence of systemic failures that threaten public safety and democratic governance.

APNU’s statement highlights disturbing reports from workers at Aurora Gold Mines (AGM), describing hazardous underground conditions, insufficient protective gear, unhygienic accommodations, inconsistent wages, and discriminatory treatment of Guyanese workers compared to foreign employees. The partnership notes that these incidents are part of a pattern of unsafe practices across the interior mining regions, including fatal pit collapses in Puruni/Kumung Kumung (Region 7) and Konawaruk/Pepper Creek (Region 8).

“The recurring complaints from mining workers make one thing clear: the problem is not AGM alone — the problem is a broken enforcement system that the Government refuses to fix,” APNU said, calling for an independent investigation into AGM and its subcontractors, a national mining safety audit, and strict enforcement with meaningful accountability.

APNU also condemned the PPP government’s continued withholding of the 2022 Population and Housing Census, which began in September 2022. According to APNU, “Three years without census data is not a delay — it is a profound failure of governance that undermines every national decision.” The party insists the government release the census immediately, provide a transparent breakdown of expenditures, and implement stronger safeguards for future national statistics.

On electoral reform, APNU emphasised the public’s call for a credible and transparent voting process, citing frustrations with a bloated voters list, absence of biometric verification, and structural weaknesses highlighted in the EU Election Observation Mission report on the 2025 elections. “A credible election cannot be built on a bloated list. Guyanese are demanding a clean list, biometrics, and a system they can trust,” the APNU stated.

APNU outlined concrete demands, including a verified voters list, biometric verification at all stages, an independent and professionally resourced GECOM, and transparent procedures aligned with international standards.

The partnership concluded by reaffirming its commitment to good governance, transparency, and the protection of citizens’ rights. “The disturbing allegations of deplorable working conditions in the mining sector, the unacceptable delay in releasing the 2022 Census, and the strong public demand for electoral reform all highlight national weaknesses that must be confronted without delay,” APNU said, promising to work with all stakeholders to safeguard lives, public resources, and democracy in Guyana.