As Day 1 of the 2020 Budget Debates commenced, Opposition Member of Parliament commended the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for the slew of measures announced for the Mining Sector.
Trotman served as Minister of Natural Resources under the APNU/AFC Coalition.
However, at the same time, Trotman took time to sound a word of caution when it comes to the government’s approach.
“I take a moment to commend some of the emergency measures introduced to assist the forestry and mining sectors, in these difficult COVID times…however, we must sound a note of caution. While we incentivise miners, we must be mindful of the environmental impact and indigenous communities near to them,” Trotman said as he kicked off the Budget Debates.
Alluding to the current high price for gold, he expressed fear that the measures could spark a gold rush and as a result cautioned the government to do the necessary monitoring to avoid this from happening.
Making good on an issue it campaigned on and criticised the former APNU/AFC Government for, the President Dr Irfaan Ali-led Government had rolled back the imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) and duties on mining equipment. The measures are aimed at revitalizing the extractive industries sector.
