Outspoken Bartician miner, Frederick McWilfred is onboard for the PPP. His name was on the party’s list of candidates for upcoming national elections submitted yesterday to the Guyana Elections Commission.
“One of the reasons why I’ve thrown my lot behind the PPP/Civic is that I have a lot of confidence in the presidential candidate (Donald Ramotar),” McWilfred told Stabroek News in a brief comment last evening. “A lot of it has to do with the presidential candidate and my feeling that he will make a great president.”
McWilfred last year led miners in vociferously protesting stringent rules proposed for the gold-mining industry by the PPP/C administration. He was elected president of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) before resigning shortly after.
McWilfred said he plans to say more at the PPP’s rally in Bartica tomorrow and has “good, solid” reasons for joining the party’s list. “When I’m finished I’m sure people will agree with what I’m doing what I have done,” he said. McWilfred said that he and Ramotar have a long history together, encompassing not only their activism in political parties but family as well. McWilfred was a member of the youth arm of the PNC. He said that while his interactions with Ramotar in those times were not always friendly, he has developed great respect for Ramotar. The presidential candidate is keen and “tried and tested,” he said adding that Ramotar will develop Guyana.
