The government and the Region Ten leadership last evening sealed an agreement for the development of Linden, after the Donald Ramotar administration gave in to objections over one of the terms for the inquiry into the July 18 fatal shooting of protestors in the town.
A day after an aborted attempt, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Region Ten Chairman Sharma Solomon signed the agreement at the Office of the President (OP) to address four major issues affecting Lindeners and both looked forward to it delivering a change for the better.
With the signing of the agreement and the settlement of the terms for the inquiry expected to return some normalcy to the town after a sustained protest since July 18, Hinds voiced the government’s relief, but Solomon cautioned that the implementation is a “critical phase” in the struggle by the region and that it remains “mobilised.”
The agreement addresses the electricity tariffs in Linden, which is now under review; economic development, for which a committee will be set up to, among other things, develop a sustainable development plan for Linden and Region Ten; television broadcasting, with the regional leadership being given the dish and transmitter in the next two weeks and agreeing to apply for a broadcast licence; and regional land selection, which is expected to see more involvement by the region.
“Notwithstanding yesterday’s setback by the national leaders, and the many warnings of concerned citizens about the PPP’s infamous track record on implementing agreements, we are prepared to trust our national leaders,” Solomon said at the signing.
“We trust this regime to implement the agreement because the people will see to it. The people of Linden/ Region Ten will hold this regime, the national leaders and the National Assembly accountable for its delivery,” he added, while pointing out that civil society also would be held accountable for ensuring that the government and opposition deliver on their commitment and responsibility.
Towards this end, Solomon later told Stabroek News that the region was seeking the assistance of the opposition to have the agreement endorsed in the National Assembly. A letter by Solomon on behalf of the region has been sent to APNU leader David Granger and AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan requesting that they take the agreement for the endorsement of the National Assembly.
The signing scheduled for Monday was delayed after an objection to an investigation into the organisation of protest action being included as part of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the protestor shootings. The shootings claimed the lives of Ron Sommerset, Allan Wilson and Shemroy Bouyea and saw at least 20 others injured after police opened fire near the Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge, where residents had gathered for the first day of a planned five-day protest over the increase in electricity tariffs.
The proposed inquiry “into the role, involvement and other forces in organising, mobilising and promoting the protest actions from their commencement and immediately after” the shooting on July 18 first drew an objection by the AFC, and later the region, with both noting that the citizens’ right to protest is guaranteed under the constitution. The contentious clause was removed during a meeting earlier yesterday, ultimately paving the way for the signing. Hinds, when quizzed about it, said that he would be unable to answer. “I would rather not speak to it at this time except to say that there has been a resolution,” he said.
Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, who was part of the regional delegation, was more forthright, however, saying that there was no full agreement on the contentious clause, which was removed from the TOR. (See other story on page 12)
Recognition
Solomon said that based on the information out of Linden, there is a noticeable decrease in the number of Joint Services ranks, who were deployed to the town after the unrest escalated. The region and the opposition had been asking for the Joint Services to be removed from the town to allow normalcy to prevail. “We don’t have to go back to the people and tell them come off the streets. The people will know the things that will satisfy their needs and their desires for them to come off the streets and it is quite evident that those desires are appreciated by what they have seen so far,” Solomon said, while noting that there is now a vehicular flow of traffic through the town.
Solomon, told reporters that Linden and Region Ten see the agreement as the first step in the government’s “recognition” of the people’s constitutional right to make their own decisions.
He added that the signing by the two parties is an achievement for Guyana as it signals what a people can achieve through mutual respect, with those in office recognising their responsibility and the people holding the government accountable for good governance.
“The valiant struggle waged by the Linden/Region Ten since April has been one for respect and honouring of the residents’ rights. This agreement is a small step in our fight for equal rights and justice and of which the cornerstone of our struggles is premised,” he said, adding that rights and the rule of law will continue to be the pillars that will guide his chairmanship and upon which the Regional Democratic Council will conduct its business.
Solomon also used the signing to alert the Ramotar administration of the “transgression” being committed by the Russian company-run Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI). “The Region Ten administration will not stand idly by and allow the rights of these workers to be transgressed, especially more so that this operation is in the region and the workers are from this region,” he said.
Solomon continued that the region facing an unemployment rate of approximately 70% is a clear indication that too many are being denied the right to work and measures have to be put in place to correct this situation.
“We signal our intent and desire to do business with persons external to the region, including foreign business and welcome your participation to alleviate (un)employment and contribute to development. Our only caveat is that we desire to do business with those who will respect us, our workers, and our laws,” he added.
Solomon also acknowledged those who worked tirelessly to ensure that an agreement was reached and subsequently signed, including the regional leaders as well as the men and the women on the ground in the struggle. ‘Thanks to the young ones who also played their role in the struggle. You have done it and your work has been written into history. Shemroy, Roy and Allan, we know you are looking down on us–this struggle is dedicated to you; for you have paid the ultimate price and given us the will to continue. You will continue to be our inspiration and motivators,” he added.
Hope
According to Hinds, it is with a sense of relief and hope that the government has entered into the agreement with the region. He said that he had noted the remarks made by Solomon and quickly pointed out that “this is not the occasion for us (the government) to respond to them.”
He stressed that government has always been motivated by the recognition of the need and desire to work for equal rights and justice for all Guyana. He said that the government also recognises that they are constrained by the goods and services that are produced and are available. “The way to get to a better life is to work on improving the education and skill of our people, their abilities and also to work to improving harmony in our country,” he said.
Hinds added that the government recognises that there are differences in how things are viewed and the period of unrest follows from “very different views of the same situation.” He, however, stressed that the government is pleased that an agreement has been reached, noting that the major issues will be reviewed.
According to Hinds, the government, like Solomon, has the hope that the signing would be the first step in a great change in the country. “A great change for the better, a great change for a more common understanding of how things have been and how things might be,” he added.
Also present at the signing for the government were Transport Minister Robeson Benn, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh and presidential advisors Odinga Lumumba and Gail Teixeira, while for the region there were APNU MPs Roopnaraine, Vanessa Kissoon and PNCR’s Aubrey Norton. Also present were AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan and party member Dominic Gaskin.
