Daniels hails PPP/C for removing burdens on miners, urges support for Sept. 1 elections

BARTICA, Guyana – President of the Small Miners Association and former Alliance For Change (AFC) Region Seven Chairman, David Daniels, says the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has lifted major burdens from the mining sector, including removing taxes on machinery and fuel, and should be returned to office on September 1.

“Machinery, button, fuel – under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, I have seen President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C government remove those burdens off of those equipment so miners will be able [to have] more in their pockets,” Daniels told a rally in Bartica on Saturday.

“I come before you with hope and optimism – hope and optimism in a government, hope and optimism in a president who, when he says, ‘One Guyana’, means one Guyana. When he says that, he will ensure that every single Guyanese benefits – even you in the hinterland. That is the only president and the only political party who have ensured that Guyana’s interests are being placed on the front burner, my friends.”

Daniels urged miners not to be swayed by opposition promises.

“Many will come and tell you their plans for the mining industry… but you tell them that it is under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic that taxes have been removed from machinery, you tell them that it is under the PPP/C that taxes have been removed from fuel, and miners are being able to work more freely.”

Recalling his first meeting with President Ali, Daniels said: “I told him what is affecting small miners and the mining industry… President Ali, in his wisdom and his love for country and people, told me to assemble the affected miners and bring them to him so that he will be able to assist the mining industry, so that the mining industry will continue to thrive under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.”

Daniels, who joined the AFC in 2018 ahead of that year’s Local Government Elections, told the News Room in June that while he is grateful to the AFC for entrusting him with leadership, his vision for development better aligns with President Ali’s and the PPP’s.

“It is just fitting that if I see that your vision and my vision align, then I will support you. Me ain’t born in no party, I represent the people… I represent that constituency of mining, and I will continue to represent that,” he said.

“What I have seen is the transformation in the mining industry. I have seen that our continuous engagement with the Ministry of Natural Resources, the President, and the stakeholders is that the President is someone who wants to see what is good and what is right for the industry. My decision right now – joining onto President Ali and his team and this current government – will help small miners, will help who I think is my constituency,” Daniels explained.

“My friends, come September 1st, you are not only voting for you, but you are voting for the future. You are fighting for your children’s future. My friends, as an expectant father for the first time in my life, I have chosen… the People’s Progressive Party has secured a future for my child – and he is smart – and you should support and vote solely for the People’s Progressive Party, for your child, your future, your Guyana.”