Dear Editor,
The recent news that Mr McWilfred has joined the PPP/C and is on their list for our November national election has surprised most of the gold miners. The debate that is currently unfolding is one of interest since many are of the view that Mr McWilfred has a democratic right of choice to be supportive of any political party. However, the bone of contention is one of trust, principle, and integrity.
The Small Miners Association was born and the famous Bartica March took place because it was the understanding of the gold miners that the government’s impending draconian gold-mining policies would severely curtail the profits of the gold miners and moreso kill the vibrant gold-mining industry.
The Bartica business community joined the march since their very livelihood was directly linked to the gold-mining industry and the businessmen and women of Bartica understand the reality of the situation. If the government’s policies are implemented, their businesses will be affected too.
Mr McWilfred won the trust of the small gold miners by reiterating and empathizing that he understood their fears and he was the voice that they did not have; moreso he is on record condemning PPP/C policies in relation to corruption, crime, inequality and opportunities.
An analysis of Mr McWilfred’s u-turn begs the following questions:
Has the government changed its draconian gold-mining policies?
What will be McWilfred’s role on the Small Gold Miners Association?
Is it not a conflict of interest to represent the government and be the President of the Small Miners Association?
Can the small miners trust Mr McWilfred to truly represent their interest?
The debate has brought out various schools of thought, but the central theme is that he has used the Small Miners Association as a tool. All and sundry will agree that the crumbs that fall from the PPP/C table are bigger that any loaf offered by the Small Miners Association. I am of the view that Mr McWilfred has joined because he cannot endure the labour of being in the field.
I will encourage all the small gold miners to call for his immediate resignation as the President of the Small Miners Association since it is impossible to serve two masters.
I would like to close with this quote:
“Integrity is telling yourself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people.”
Yours faithfully,
Carlton Beckles
