Minister Simona Broomes honoured in surprise thanksgiving presentation

A TRIUMPHANT entry is how it was described as the Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes walked into the Herdmanston Lodge. The occasion was a ‘surprise’ presentation ceremony held in her honour by members of the Mining Syndicate of Guyana.

Minister Broomes was received by a standing ovation as the Stevie Wonder song, ‘Isn’t she lovely’ played. Chairman of the proceedings, Pastor Cleveland Davidson said that he was happy to welcome all those present to the presentation ceremony on behalf of the syndicate body – the small miners association, whose President is Cherryl Williams.

OUTSTANDING SERVICE

Pastor Whalen King in his opening prayer quoted of the last verse of Proverbs 31, “Let her works be known; and let her receive public praise because of her actions,” stating that he has found that scripture to be most fitting on this occasion, as she is being publicly praised and celebrated. He noted that the minister has not only been outstanding in her activities within the gold field, but in many other spheres of life in Guyana; even within the church.

Secretary of the Mining Syndicate, Nadezhda Stephens in very emotional opening remarks stated, “…we are here to honour you; we are here to thank you for all the things you have done, not only for the mining community but for your country as a whole.”
She noted that the industry is now opening up to young people; recognition has been brought to the smaller miners and miners have been challenged to raise their standards of operation. Stephens said that she, as well as all the other young miners in Guyana, salute the minister for her courage, persistence, dedication and her humility.

EMOTIONAL SENTIMENTS

President of the Ekereku Mining Syndicate, Dana Jones joined with the previous speaker in showering praises on Minister Broomes for the work she is doing for miners, as well as others she is able to touch in Guyana.
Jones described the minister as a sister, a friend, a mother – a true champion and a woman of love, who is a ‘heart person’.
Adding to the flourishing sentiments was the President of the Fork and ‘K’ Mining Syndicate, Garfield Wint.
He said that even as he joined with the rest of the mining community to celebrate Minister Broomes, whom he described as “champion of the earth”, he also extended thanks to Minister Raphael Trotman, Minister of Natural Resources and the members of the Geology and Mines, who have all helped to make mining easier for miners at this time.

Wint also made note of the achievement of the National Mining Syndicate of the GGMC Board, which he said is something that has never happened before. He also made mention of the duty-free concessions for small miners. These miners had to first be tax-compliant. Additionally, the mining syndicate was also able to achieve their own office in Georgetown.
He noted that these were all initiatives of Minister Broomes which have resulted in improved lives for the miners.

Aubrey Francis, Vice-President of the Gold Search Investment Mining Syndicate also joined with the others to say thanks and echoed much of what they stated.
Presentations of a plaque and a bouquet of flowers were handed to Minister Broomes by the President of the National Mining Syndicate, Cherryl Williams, while a dance to the song, ‘You are my hero’ was done by Pastor Deborah King.

The chairman in introducing Minister Broomes noted, that she was first appointed Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, “During which she established herself as a highly effective advocate for workers’ rights, safety and health at the workplace, and best practices in the industry.” He said that as a result of her activities a number of wrongs were corrected.
She was later reassigned as Minister in the Ministry of Natural Resources, with effect from January 2016, where her primary responsibility, includes providing oversight for the maintenance of best practices in the mining sector.

Pastor Davidson noted that she was also instrumental in the establishment of the Guyana Women’s Miners’ Association (GWMA) in 2012, and one of the primary purposes was to expose the problems of trafficking in persons (TIP), which was prevalent in the industry.

Minister Broomes, after recognising the special invitees, including residents of Sophia and Anns Grove, said that she was `taken back’ and humbled by the surprise that was held on her behalf.
During her remarks, Minister Broomes said that the road for miners, especially women miners was never easy; some women she stated had to literally fight to keep what they owned and some lost millions of dollars’ worth of machinery and other valuables in the process.
She noted that life as a gold miner is never easy but promised to continue to do her best, with the help of the government to assist miners in an effort to make life easier to them all.