Confronted by a rising economic toll and with no success over the past three weeks in resolving the Linden crisis, President Donald Ramotar last night appealed to Lindeners to halt their protest, saying that they are being led astray by “extremists” and the future of the community is being harmed.
“The organizers of the blockades are hurting Linden and causing deep suffering to interior communities in Regions 7, 8 and 9. The hurt is not just because of what (is) happening now but also its likely effects on the future of Linden. Jobs of Lindeners are being placed in jeopardy. The call centre in Linden could face closure soon. Bosai is also being hurt.
This can but only discourage that company from making the future investments that it had planned, investments that would have rebounded to the benefit of the people of Linden,” he said in an ‘Open letter to the people of Linden’ released to the media late last night by the Government Information Agency (GINA).
Ramotar’s letter was released while in Linden, Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon accused the PPP/C government of deliberately blocking investors from the town.
“The actions of the extremists are therefore jeopardizing the future of your community. Linden as a destination for future investments is being harmed by what is taking place at present. These actions must be halted before they inflict further harm to the future development of Linden,” the president said. “I therefore urge a restoration to normalcy in the town for an end to unlawful actions,” he said.
Lindeners have been protesting a proposed hike in electricity tariffs since July 18 and have virtually shut-off traffic to the gold-mining interior and other communities by maintaining roadblocks despite security forces efforts to remove them. The protest escalated after three protestors were fatally shot by police and with the economic toll rising, the government put the tariff increase on hold and is engaging stakeholders in an attempt to find solutions. It has also agreed to set up a Commission of Inquiry to probe the events that led up to the shootings.
In his uncommon appeal, the president pledged that his administration will “never” abandon Linden but will work to secure the well-being of the community.
“I am aware of the great hardships and difficulties that you people are facing as a result of the blockading of roads and bridges within your community. Through no fault of yours, you are being subject to unnecessary and needless suffering. I also share in your pain and grief and the pain caused by the tragic incidents of July 18 when three of your citizens were killed and many others wounded. On that infamous day property was also destroyed in arson attacks, leaving many persons without jobs,” the president said.
“I have committed to a comprehensive commission of inquiry into these incidents. Work is being finalised so as to have consensus on the terms of reference of the commission and its inquiry. I believe that justice will be achieved,” he added.
Ramotar recalled that he undertook to have an inclusionary approach to deal with Lindeners concerns including the electricity issue which precipitated the events of July 18. “I have put on hold the new electricity tariffs and will appoint a committee to review all dimensions of this issue and to recommend options for a resolution of the problem,” he pointed out.
The president sought to put into context the electricity situation at Linden. He said that the electricity problem preceded the election of the PPP/C to the office in 1992. “By then the bauxite industry was in dire straits. In order to remove the financial burdens on the then bauxite company, the government was forced to assume responsibility for electricity and for the two hospitals. At the time also the price of fuel was below US$20 per barrel. These prices have since increased astronomically, at times peaking as high as US$140 per barrel. It is because of the rise in fuel prices that the subsidy provided for electricity in Linden became unsustainable. As a result changes were necessary,” he said.
“The Government never intended to remove the subsidy applied to electricity, and we are not removing the subsidy as was so dishonestly told to you. This was never our intention,” the president said.
“We proposed a phased programme of reductions of the subsidy. This phased reduction would have resulted in gradual increases in tariffs in a way that would have avoided hardships. We also suggested other models to minimize the impact of the increases on the vulnerable, such as bauxite pensioners. At the same time we aimed to encourage conservation. All of these things were not told to you because desperate ‘extremists’ wanted to use this issue to promote their personal agenda for power,” Ramotar wrote in his letter.
“Linden has never been neglected by the PPP/C Administrations. You are all, I am sure, well aware of the steps that we have taken over the years to support the community of Linden. We will continue to promote development in Linden,” he said.
‘Investors’
Meanwhile, a large number of residents braved the inclement weather last even-ing to attend a public meeting at the Wismar end of the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge addressed by Solomon, who noted that with the continuing protest several investors surfaced with proposals previously forwarded to the government that could see significant development of the town.
According to Solomon, interested investors in the Information Technology (IT), agriculture and mining sectors faced hurdles from government, since they were denied tax breaks and other concessions.
Despite the government’s call for the end of the protest, he also noted that the town’s major stakeholders agreed that the protest will be called off when the government announces that it would withdraw a plan for Lindeners to pay more over time.
“They are saying I should ask you to clear the streets. I didn’t make you do what you are doing. It’s a decision you took as a people and one only you can change,” said Solomon, to loud applause “Give us what we want and we’ll clear the streets, that or nothing,” a person in the crowd responded.
Solomon said that the engagements with the government as it relates to the issues leading up to July 18 protest and those consequent, including the killing of Shemroy Bouyea, Allan Lewis and Ron Somerset during the protest, are progressing and the negotiations will continue today at the Office of the President.
The meeting ended on the note that resident should stay focused and strong, since their struggle would improve their livelihoods in the long run. A similar meeting was held last night at Amelia’s Ward and it was also announced that cell meetings will continue in every community throughout the week.
