Amidst the continued blocking of the key route to interior communities via Linden, the situation in Lethem and Mahdia has stabilized as fuel, supplies and travellers traverse an alternate route to the interior communities.
Region Eight Chairman, Mark Crawford told Stabroek News that since returning to Mahdia on August 6, he observed that the power company had resumed providing electricity round the clock. A few days prior to this, the utility was not providing any power because fuel had run out. He said that business persons are bringing in fuel and other supplies via Bartica. Travellers are also utilizing this route while some are transferring to other vehicles at Linden, he said.
Crawford said that while prices have risen, they are not as exorbitant as those shortly after the crisis erupted and all traffic was virtually halted. Protests in Linden over a proposed hike in electricity tariffs, which has since been put on hold, have been continuing since July 18. The main roadways to access regions Seven, Eight, Nine and other parts of Region Ten have been blocked off since then, with all traffic halted. The protest has grown to encompass justice for the three Lindeners fatally shot on the night of July 18 and continues. In recent days, the Joint Services have been making efforts to clear the roadway but it is not clear when there will be normal access since residents have been replacing roadblocks when they are removed.
Meanwhile, in Lethem, the electricity supply continues to be for 17 hours per day, a resident said. He related that fuel for the power station was purchased from Brazil and the power supply is now from 6pm to 11 am. In terms of fuel for vehicles, he said that two Guyoil tankers arrived in the community on Friday via Bartica and while the prices are a bit more than usual, any quantity is being sold.
In terms of supplies, he said that the shelves in the stores are running low. “The place is extremely quiet because of the (difficulty) of getting certain supplies” such as beer and light beverages, he said.
In addition, he said that there is a scarcity of school supplies. He pointed out that by now persons would usually begin to start shopping for supplies for the new school year but since there are not many goods coming from the coast, there is a shortage and demand is high.
In terms of travelling via road, he said that the bus now diverts to Bartica but with the longer hours spent on the road and the increased length of the journey, the fares have risen to almost the same as air travel to the border town.
