Dear Editor,
A few questions for the Linden Chamber of Commerce: (1) Has the government’s tax regime of 16% VAT imposed on top of a 33% rate of income tax, the reduction in government spending and the practice of large injections of money in the town being monopolized by persons not resident here, not been factors in the severe reduction in Lindeners’ incomes and the town’s economic strangulation? (2) How much expenditure have the Chamber’s members been able to avoid as a result of the non-increase in electricity tariffs? (3) Isn’t the level of investment more a reflection of transparent, honest, unbiased investment policies and practices operating in an environment of accountability and efficient government, than it is of social unrest? (4) Is investment also not more a reflection of government’s willingness to facilitate investment than it is of responses by the people to their neglect by the national government? (5) Why doesn’t the Linden Chamber of Commerce take the government to task for refusing to initiate the most significant investment this region can see ‒ the Brazil road? (6) Is it not true that even in the most peaceful of moments whatever investment there is in this region passes through Linden and that that investment is not predicated on the state of comfort in Linden? (7) Who holds the power “to make a way” for the people of the Linden and the region, and who is standing in that way? (8) Hasn’t the government asked itself all these questions and more, and hasn’t it answered them all?
For the Linden Chamber of Commerce to assert that little was achieved without objectively laying the responsibility where it belongs is to engage in duplicity. President Ramotar refused to visit the town in t he wake of his security forces shooting and killing unarmed protesters and his government has dilly-dallied on the agreement. The people have a duty to let him know that they disapprove of his government’s reticence and the opening of a building being treated as more important than their survival and demands for a good life. How the chamber can be so nearsighted is amazing, for those at whom they are pointing the accusing finger are responsible for their survival.
The principled position of young Solomon, to have the people of Linden’s voices heard cannot be faulted when a government which is developing a track record of human rights violations of the worst kind, signs agreements and for two years does everything to scuttle the execution of those agreements. The Linden Chamber of Commerce whilst representing its interest must guard itself against appearing to be insensitive to the condition of Linden’s residents and supporting the insensitive action of the regime. Let it be known and let it be true, Linden and Region 10 will not be a place where the interests of the lowly are taken for granted. The interest of the garbage collector will be treated with the same respect as that of the members of the Chamber. We all have that responsibility to each other.
Yours faithfully,
Jonathan Adams