Dear Editor,
THE People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) in yet another welcome move has intervened to provide another series of much-needed support for the citizens of this country in keeping with its manifesto promises, its developmental agenda and to cushion the effects of the rising cost of living.

One such intervention is to the benefit of the mining sector. It is a known fact that the mining sector has suffered tremendously under the corrupt and incompetent A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change. That administration placed significant hardship on the lives and livelihoods of the miners and disrupted the industry through heavy taxation and mismanagement.

In 2020, the PPP/C in its emergency budget offered several tax reliefs to the mining sector with the removal of VAT on machinery and hinterland travel. Due to those interventions, gold production increased in 2021 and the sector remained lucrative.

Tuesday’s intervention by our government will significantly benefit miners and the mining sector, returning much-needed resources to the mining community. Whilst speaking with members of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) on Tuesday, Vice-President of Guyana, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, made these almost charismatic announcements. The relief measures such as reduction of the final tax from 3.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent; the removal of VAT on lubricating oil, which consequently will benefit all the productive sectors of the country and the removal of the 10 per cent tributors tax, altogether represent close to two billion dollars in support to the mining industry.

In less than two years this nation has witnessed a gross difference in the style of governance. Under the Dr Ifraan Ali administration, Guyanese are now better off than before. The country is at ease and the government has won the support of the nation. This latest intervention signifies the ease of living that is associated with the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic and its people-oriented policies and initiatives.

The people of Guyana welcome this timely intervention by our government. Since taking office in 2020, the PPP/C Government has introduced numerous measures that have placed tremendous ease on the people of this country; removing several burdens.

As a Guyanese, I applaud the PPP/C Government and its efforts to improve the lives and standard of living of Guyanese.

Yours sincerely,
Thomas Cole