Bartica, Region Seven continues to take the lead in efforts to develop the mining sector and although the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C administration has assured that the sector’s future will be sustainable, it wants the community to develop beyond mining.
This was the message brought to a massive gathering of residents today in Bartica as the ruling party held its elections campaign rally in the hub of the community, a few weeks before the hosting of national and regional elections in Guyana. President Bharrat Jagdeo who shared the platform with PPP/C Presidential candidate Donald Ramotar, believes that the Region has potential beyond mining even as there are plans to expand gold and diamond mining.
“Bartica will not only be a mining area, Bartica has the potential for tourism development. Bartica can become a hub because of what we have planned in the education and ICT (Information Communication Technology) sector, so you have an extremely bright future to look forward to,” President Jagdeo said.
The Government is at present investing in the laying of a fibre optic cable from neighbouring Brazil, which, when complete will bring down the cost of bandwidth, thereby making access to the internet cheaper and more reliable.
Ramotar told the gathering that more than 3,000 jobs have been created in Guyana through fibre optic cable driven technology and in the near future more employment opportunities are to be created. The possibilities are endless and the government is confident that Guyana will reach a stage where a significant degree of work can be done from the comfort of one’s own home if the requisite tools are available.
In this regard, Ramotar told the gathering that the Government’s One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme is within reach, alluding to the arrival of the first batch of 5,000 Haier branded laptops as proof. Bartica’s own Elvis Seeram and miner Frederick Mc Wilfred were the two new faces on the PPP/C platform who confirmed their membership on the ruling party’s team while speaking to the huge crowd.
The speakers reiterated that it is Government’s intention to keep the mining sector alive rather than have it shut down, contrary to what was rumoured by the opposition. Ramotar said, “If mining is employing so many people, if mining is generating so much wealth for development in the country, who in their right sense would want to stop mining? Those people who are saying that obviously, are insulting your own intelligence,” Ramotar said.
Rumours of a plot to shut down mining had prompted miners in Bartica to stage protest action to draw the Government’s attention to their concern. Mc Wilfred who played an active part in that activity, today acknowledged President Jagdeo for heeding their call.
“President Jagdeo responded… he put (Minister) Robeson Benn in charge of a land use committee,” Mc Wilfred said, reading an excerpt of a letter written by a small miner expressing appreciation to the President for affording small miners the opportunity to be involved in the work of the special land use committee.
Mc Wilfred said his endorsement of the PPP/C was met by a number of negative reactions by some of his close associates but explained that his decision to join the party was motivated by his confidence in Ramotar’s capacity to lead Guyana to further development.
Stakeholders in the mining sector were lauded for their contributions to the record performance in gold over the years, reaching a record of beginning with a record 308,000 ounces in recent years. Other speakers at the rally were Ministers of: Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn; Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and Public Service Dr. Jennifer Westford. (GINA)
