In June of 2011, Dennis Muhammad publicly announced his support for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and moved to launch a group which he chaired called the Linden Civic Society. He had said that at the time he was confident that Donald Ramotar was a divine choice to lead the people of Guyana as president, a position he still stands by. However he is saying, “Dear comrades your best friend is not a person that can do a favour for or give you a gift or money, but a true friend is one that can give guidance in troubled times. At the time of this writing I am praying and fasting that you reverse your decision for the sake of the poor people of Linden. There is a song writer that said God is watching us from a distance. Indeed God is watching all of our decision making. It does not make sense to say that our coffers is full of money and the poor people are punishing and starving.”
The issue of increased electricity tariffs did not go down well among the masses of the Linden Community to the extent that they had moved to the streets of Linden in protest over three days since the reading of the national budget. Muhammad, though not seen in the street demonstration says he is protesting the decision.
He said that the announcement came as a surprise to him and other members of the Linden Civic Society. “From the statement of poll of elections day it was evident that nineteen percent of Region 10 voted for the PPP/C and in this matter we were not treated with respect”, said Muhummad. He said that the polite thing would have been for the party they supported, to give them some insight to the intention and plans for Linden prior to the reading of the national budget.
“We wanted to make our input as to how we think the affairs of our town should be run, we put our lives on the line, our families on the line our children on the line, our friends on the line and the relationship with our fellow Lindeners, because of our choice of political party”, stressed Muhammad.
In a press statement, Muhummad said that the impending tariff will hurt all the people of Linden and he cannot be in support of such a heartless decision. He said in the press release, “(1) The members of the PPP/C were not told that this will be announced in the budget, hence we cannot defend such a move. (2) The poor people of Linden cannot afford a raise of one dollar in electricity.
“Such a move will not foster peace in the town of Linden and the country”, he added. The issue is beyond party politics, said the LCS leader and is one of bread and butter.
Muhammad is the proprietor of a local pharmacy and says with the proposed increase he would be compelled to pay close to $100,000 per month, a cost which would have to be borne by customers.
“We as business people will have to put this electricity burden on the poor by raising our items in the store and that is more punishment for the poor people, many persons in Region 10 lights are being cut off even with the bill being what it is, so you can imagine what will happen if it do raise.”
The community leader is calling on the government of the day to re-think their decision for the sake of poor people.
“Today I am humbly asking our President to turn back the decision, because it will hurt your PPP/C followers alike. I will ask all free PPP/C comrades to speak now or forever hold your peace, to all Pastors, Imams and Pandits speak now or forever hold your peace”, said Muhammad in his release.
