– warns members not to be complacentBartica resident, Fred McWilfred, was yesterday overwhelmingly supported by miners to take over the helm of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), and the former Advisor to President Forbes Burnham,NFL Jerseys China Online, has vowed to take the body to another level.It will be the first time that a ‘small miner’ will lead the association, at a time when it is battling with government over impending legislative changes to the industry.In a highly anticipated members’ meeting, McWilfred beat out prominent miner, Stanislaus ‘Chungy’ Jardine, garnering 47 votes to latter’s 22. Only the two were nominated.The Bartician came into the spotlight in January when he helped organize a massive mining protest in January in the mining community,NBA Jerseys From China, shutting the area down for a day.The post for President became vacant in January after Major General (rtd), Norman McLean, resigned while the association was battling government over a proposed six-months mining notice.In a rousing speech, McWilfred vowed to increase membership by an ambitious 50% within six months, while urging his fellow miners not to be complacent and ensure that the GGDMA’s message and education drive is taken to the miners countrywide.BewareIn his acceptance speech, McWilfred acknowledged that there were questions about his qualifications to lead the GGDMA. In addition to being a public servant for 16 years, he has been a miner since 1988. Prior to that, his stint as a government official saw considerable experience being gained in knowledge of the workings of government.Urging the miners present to be vigilant in face of new challenges, the new President warned that they should use the favourable conditions to further consolidate the industry and also help develop other sectors, like the agriculture and social areas.He noted that there were attempts to divide the association, with the argument that small miners were in the shadow or were foot soldiers of the big operators.The fact that a small miner has now been elected to head the association is a clear case that this is not so, he said.Miners during the AGM meeting yesterday at the GGDMA headquarter on North Road.He stressed that the gold and diamond mining sector is the largest sector in the country – both physically and sectorally. However, McWilfred was critical of the fact that the GGDMA has only registered just 200 members and described this as totally unacceptable.The new President vowed to establish a special desk to assist small miners and develop an outreach program that will further educate miners across the country.McWilfred also called for the GGDMA to play a greater role in the country’s private sector bodies.Turning his attention to the forestry industry, the official said that what it has become is a shadow of itself, with the sector “over-regulated”. “This will not happen to the mining industry,” he stressed.He said it was no accident that 7,000 persons turned out in Bartica for a protest earlier this year. And if the situation warrants it,Wholesale China Jerseys, it can also happen in the city.Healthy GGDMAEarlier, GGDMA’s Executive Director, Tony Shields, in his report at the 28th Annual General Meeting of the body at the association’s North Road office, said that the past year had been an exciting one for miners.A grouping of miners, the Puruni Mining Syndicate, had contributed over $30M to the coffers of the GGDMA and agreements have been signed with the World Wildlife Fund Guianas (WWF) to research tailings management and build a nursery at Mahdia.However, not much money is coming from actual membership and this is proving to be a challenge to the operations of the association.He admitted that new legislations late last year by government was to stop mining and recently, the President, Bharrat Jagdeo, in meeting with stakeholders’ body, the Special Land Use Committee (SLUC), noted that the work of the committee was to make suggestions for the industry.He disclosed that it was also pointed out at the meeting with the President that any recommendations from the Minister of Mining would have to take priority. These are all challenges facing the industry,Cheap Jerseys Wholesale, he said.He warned miners not to be bullied by mining officials into doing anything illegal and said that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission cannot refuse to accept payments from miners.Regarding the industry’s contribution to Guyana, Shields disclosed it placed $3B there last year – while the sugar industry did zero.Meanwhile,NFL Jerseys China, the Executive Director said that the association had asked government to allow miners to operate in