Ahead of another meeting with President Donald Ramotar today, Linden representatives are sticking to their position that unless the proposed increase in the electricity tariff is “withdrawn”, the protest -now in its 19th day – will continue.
“A resolution was taken at the meeting with the stakeholders and myself that as soon as the Government of Guyana states publicly that the proposed increase in the electricity tariff is withdrawn, the protest will be called off,” Region 10 Chairman, Kuice Sharma Solomon said at a press conference at the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) yesterday. He stressed that all stakeholders stand in solidarity on this issue.
Lindeners on July 18 began protesting the impending hike and that evening three protestors were fatally shot.
The protest, which shut down the mining town, was initially scheduled to last for five days but has continued since the shooting by police. The government subsequently put the proposed tariff hike “on hold” and has been meeting with stakeholders in an attempt to resolve the issue.
Yesterday, Solomon could not give a definitive answer when quizzed about how soon the protest will end but said that discussions with government are taking place in “an atmosphere that is conducive to obtaining a resolution to these issues.” The next round of talks is scheduled for 4pm today.
About 60 Linden stakeholders, including the community’s Chamber of Commerce met on Saturday, and Solomon said that they agreed that government would have to commit to withdrawing the intended increase in electricity tariff in order for the protest to be called off.
The protesters have blocked roads leading in and out of Linden thereby cutting off traffic to interior communities in Regions Eight and Nine and yesterday a schedule for the passage of persons entering and leaving Linden and other communities of Region 10 was announced. Solomon said that there is no reason for the blocking of the internal roads in Linden and requested that persons remove these blocks since they are not necessary.
At the press conference, Norris King, a resident, informed that the roadblocks are opened for passage by residents of Linden and Region 10 only from 6am to 7am, between 12 noon and 1pm and from 6pm to 7pm. He said that the times set took into account the security and safety of persons traversing those roads. He had noted that “the passageway (in and out of Linden) was being abused by some Lindeners with their own agendas” but denied claims that persons engaged in the protest are guilty of robberies and the damaging of vehicles.
In terms of the removal of some roadblocks, representative of the Linden Evangelical fellowship, Pastor Selwyn Sills said that they will move around to see which are necessary to maintain the protest movement but those that are not, will be removed. “What we have to realize (is) that it is not business as usual,” he said.
Special arrangements are in place to allow for the free movement of essential services including the ambulance and any hospital vehicles, the disciplined services and trucks and other vehicles transporting food into the Region. “We have no intention of starving the very people who are supporting this struggle, we cannot do that,” Solomon said.
Food
With regards to food, Sills said that the food distribution effort is dependent on what is available at the time. Attempts are being made to zone the areas where food is distributed to ensure that all residents who need this assistance are served over the course of time. Member of Parliament for Region 10, Vanessa Kissoon said food distribution is being done through the churches as well as at the kitchen stations established around Linden.
It was explained that in addition to supplies being sourced from external donors, the churches have all pooled resources to purchase supplies that go toward the relief effort.
On the issue of maintaining an effective communication line between stakeholders and residents Solomon said this process has been strengthened.
He said that following a recent meeting of regional officials and councillors of the Interim Management Committee (IMC), a decision was taken which would see each councillor engaging residents of their district to keep them abreast with the developments of the “Shut Down” as they unfold.
In addition, about 11 group meetings were held at Wismar and others are scheduled for Mackenzie soon. Last evening residents were also briefed at a general meeting at the Wismar end of the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge and another at Amelia’s Ward.
Yesterday’s press conference was also attended by Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Linden Utility Services Coop Society (LUSCSL), Valarie Adams-Patterson but noticeably absent was Vice-President of the Linden Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Development, Nolan Walton who according to Adams-Patterson, was invited. Contacted by Stabroek News on the chamber’s absence, Walton declined to comment.
