Regional Chairman Kuice Sharma Solomon informed Lindeners last evening that discussions with the government will recommence today at 2 pm at the Office of the President.
Speaking on an NCN televised programme, Solomon said that a stakeholder representative body of Region Ten will be meeting with President Donald Ramotar and other government officials.
He said that on Saturday last he was in contact with senior officials of the government and expressed the view that the visit by the President and team be postponed based on the tension that had arisen among residents by the tactic to use force to remove road and bridge blocks and to disperse the crowd. He said the government had acceded to his request, resulting in the forces retreating and remaining less visible on the ground for all of yesterday. Only a few soldiers were seen at the Kara Kara Bridge for most of yesterday, while. TSU ranks periodically patrolled the area.
Solomon re-emphasized the position advanced by the stakeholder body and informed that a request was made for a technical team to look at the issue of power generation and distribution in Linden. He expressed the view that if there is a change in the type of fuel used for power generation by Bosai, the cost of production can be reduced by as much as 40%.
He noted the reality of Linden not being in a position to feed itself, but gave no indication of when the impasse is likely to come to an end.
Solomon repeatedly urged residents to stay strong and look at the long term for a real shift to a new era where Linden stands to benefit economically, with the spin off of serious investments, job creation and a better way of life.
Meanwhile, the funeral of the three men who were killed by police at the start of the protest on Wednesday 18 July, will take place tomorrow, Wednesday August 1.
This was confirmed by the mother of Ron Somerset and Pastor Morris McKinnon who is integrally involved in the arrangements.
The funeral is set for the Wismar end of the Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge from 2 pm and burial will be at the Bamia Cemetery.
Pastor McKinnon said all the logistics, including passage through blocked roads, are being put in place.
Meantime, a number of vehicles which were in Linden turned up yesterday morning at the Kara Kara Bridge in anticipation of a clear passage out to Georgetown and had their hopes shattered.
The Joint Services had cleared the bridge on Sunday and declared it open to vehicular traffic. However, it was re-blocked shortly after.
Persons attempting to leave the town were made to trek 20 minutes up the Amelia’s Ward Hill before joining taxis bound for Georgetown. The main access road continues to be blocked.
At a camp which was re-erected on Sunday close to the bridge, three women spent the night maintaining the vigil. They said that several others stayed on through the night but left in the early morning hours. The TSU ranks had left the bridge early Sunday night, while a few soldiers stayed on and kept watch.
The distribution and preparation of food stuff and meals have been ongoing.
Pastor Hazel Alleyne of the Mount Carmel Assembly of God Church said that a quantity of food had already been received and was bonded at Amelia’s Ward and was being distributed to churches on both sides of the river.
Supplies are sent to the many food camps around the town.
Funds raised by overseas-based Guyanese under the ‘Linden Relief Effort’ and spearheaded by the Linden Fund US in collaboration with the Guyanese Wives Association, Women of Mission International, GT Radio Online, GT paradise restaurant and Rose Garden Catering Hall, were handed over and used to purchase supplies.
Linden Fund is continuing the fund raising drive until the end of September and monies raised will be used to supply food hampers to shut-ins and a number of families considered most in need.
Resident Norris King expressed gratitude to all those who have been putting in their lot to assist.
Yesterday, vehicles transporting food supplies and soldiers who were in the town for a colleague’s funeral were allowed past road blocks.
The cost of fuel has skyrocketed with persons shipping in gasoline in private vehicles were selling a five gallon bottle for as much as $8,500. “The gas stations can’t open cause they don’t have any fuel in the first place. So if this is the cost then we need it we have to pay for it,” said a taxi driver.
Residents have been complaining about the high prices being charged to transport persons around the community, but drivers said the prices are justifiable given the high cost of fuel.
