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PPP commences hinterland campaign offensive
The incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will today commence its campaign offensive in the
Fred McWilfred
hinterland regions, starting with a public meeting at Bartica. That meeting will feature Fred McWilfred, the man who led protests against adjusted mining regulations.
Fred McWilfred led those protests early last year in Bartica against restrictions on tree felling proposed by the government as part of its US$250 million forest-saving carbon deal with Norway.
The protest in Bartica, located some 65 miles (105 km) from the capital Georgetown, was the biggest demonstration at the time against a low carbon development strategy by President Bharrat Jagdeo that includes stringent mining regulations as part of its agreement with the Norwegians.
McWilfed was one of the vocal voices against the regulations and led hundreds of miners in protest.
In November 2009, Norway pledged to pay Guyana up to $250 million by 2015 to help save the England-sized forests which cover more than 75 percent of this country’s territory.
Miners are allowed to cut trees in areas they work in and the protests was against new regulations that would oblige miners to give notice six months in advance of the area they intend to clear trees.
The government was attempting to require the same compliance of miners as of timber operators who are required to obtain pre-approval from the Guyana Forestry Commission before felling any trees.
Small and medium scale mining companies, which are Guyanese owned and operated, feared the new rules would have put them out of business. The government was at pains to explain that the fear of miners was misplaced since the administration valued the mining industry and its contributions to the economy.
Today, McWilfred, a Bartica resident, is expected to explain why he has decided to step on the PPP/C’s platform and hold up the administration as accommodating of the mining industry.
In June last year, McWilfred was elected President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association but resigned soon thereafter.
In 2009, Guyana had one of its best gold years. Small and medium size miners exceeded projections, declaring 305,178 troy ounces, according to the Guyana Gold Board. Gold exports that year amounted to $281.68 million.
PPP Campaign representative, Robert Persaud, said that the meeting at Bartica would be the launch of a heightened campaign in the interior regions.
Large meetings are also scheduled for Moruca, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma and Lethem.
At those meetings, Persaud said the PPP/C would emphasise the transformation of village economies and other issues critical to Amerindian development.
In its manifesto, the party said successive PPP/Civic governments have embraced a vision for Amerindian and hinterland development that is built on the principles of integration and preservation.
The PPP/C has pledged to support the implementation of village community development plans which seek to achieve food security, generating employment and higher levels of income by transforming the village economy if it is re-elected to office.
The party has promised that if it gets back the seat of the government it will ensure the preservation of the cultural heritage, in particular Amerindian languages, continue and accelerate land titling and demarcation exercises and continue to expand social services in the communities, including construction of more schools, dormitories, recreational and health facilities for greater access.
The party also committed to complete the installation of solar electricity in every Amerindian village home, bringing electricity to these communities for the first time.
In addition, the PPP/C has committed to providing more support for the expansion and establishment of sustained value added and agro processing initiatives including marketing prospects.
Expand and upgrade the hinterland road network and increasing the availability of ICT training programmes and assets in hinterland communities are also goals the PPP/C has set itself for the next five years if it is victorious at the November 28 polls.
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