A depressed community, a town that has fallen on hard times, the once prosperous mining town – these are a few of the phrases of some who endeavour to describe the town of Linden.
Long before the global economic meltdown (2008-2009), Linden had been struggling with its own economic crisis, so maybe this can be considered as an economic crisis ‘to the second power.’ This multiplied economic strain has left its trail of social devastation on the people of the town, with unemployment being its number one consequence; in the months gone hundreds have lost their jobs, and maybe more will in the months to come. This situation has also resulted in armies of youths aimlessly marching through our streets and crowding our public places with nothing to do. I am sure the majority would like to contribute in a meaningful way towards the town’s development.
I have been reading with interest the arguments being advanced by Mr F Skinner and Mr Lincoln Lewis, as to whether social or political activism will bring about the desired developments that are so badly needed. In my opinion, their arguments represent two sides of the same coin, as only with the aggressive application of both can the desired developments be achieved.
So how can hope be restored and prosperity regained? Of course there are no simple answers to what should be done to propel Linden beyond its present condition. What is needed on both sides of that ‘coin,’ however, is a more committed willingness to finding the answers. The Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP), which should have been able to find most of these answers and advance the town beyond its present position, received mixed reviews, and some question its future. It at best could be described as a beautiful blur, as many questions remain unanswered.
There should be no mistaking Linden’s potential to significantly advance beyond the embarrassing situation in which this once economically proud town now finds itself. The road to Brazil if better understood by the citizens, and carefully exploited for its endless possibilities, will ensure advancements for the town, and create some much needed jobs, (construction of the road itself will allow for immediate job creation).
But the town has the ability to succeed economically beyond job security; with Copenhagen looking like an anti-climax for Guyana, some serious consideration should now be given to the report that was prepared by a group of top German and local experts, which suggests that Linden could be developed into a green, low-carbon city, the first of its kind in this hemisphere, which could accommodate agro-industrial complexes, among other major economic investments, while maintaining the Bosai investment. This report which was put together almost a decade ago, between 1998-2003 still holds much relevance today, but only with a committed willingness from both sides of the ‘coin’ will implementation be possible.
Achieving financial security for the town must not be looked at as a hopeless dream; instead it must be seen as an exciting opportunity for the people of Linden to pursue.
Yours faithfully,
Sharma Solomon
