Opposition and APNU leader Brigadier (rtd) David Granger has said gold and diamond miners should receive the same level of government support as stakeholders in the rice and sugar industries, while noting that the sector is one of the pillars of the economy.
He made this statement during a meeting with the executive committee of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) on Wednesday.
According to an APNU statement, the meeting at the GGDMA’s North Road headquarters was scheduled to discuss issues affecting them. It said the GGDMA team, led by president Patrick Harding, told the meeting the industry remains challenged by the drop in prices for gold on the world market, the high cost of fuel, poor infrastructure, the lack of medical facilities, and security, among other things.
In response, Granger assured the group of APNU’s continued support and commitment to the orderly development of the extractive sector, including creating a level playing field for local miners. Granger said under an APNU administration Bartica, Mahdia, Lethem and Mabaruma would be made municipalities.
He also gave assurances that APNU has an agenda for the improvement of security in the hinterland and for the development of the infrastructure, including roads, airdromes and bridges.
“We [APNU] are committed to protecting the environment and improving the health delivery system in the Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Potaro-Siparuni and Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo regions,” he was quoted as saying. “We cannot afford to ignore any pillar of our economy… the same way rice and sugar has received government support over the years… gold and diamond miners must receive similar levels of government support.”
According to the statement, APNU’s team included Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and the Environment Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Shadow Minister of Education Amna Ally and Shadow Minister for Local Government and Hinterland Development Ronald Bulkan.
The GGDMA team included Terrence Adams, Secretary; Alfro Alphonso, Immediate Past President; Mahendra Persaud, Committee Member; and Colin Sparman, Administrative Coordinator.
