The promise of jobs continues to be made at the PPP/C rallies and meetings in Linden and according to Campaign Manager for Linden Andrew Forsythe in the next five years the PPP/C can assure residents of over a thousand jobs in various sectors.
He said that there will be major expansion in the bauxite industry both at Linden and Aroaima, Berbice River.
“We are saying that over the next five years BOSAI would employ another 500 persons and RUSAL would need another two to three hundred persons there. We are saying that over the next five years the bauxite industry would create about another 1,000 jobs.” During their first major campaign rally in Linden, PPP presidential candidate Donald Ramotar had promised residents of Region 10, 1,000 jobs in 2012 in the bauxite industry. Subsequent to that, residents of the region had cast doubt on the promise noting that the PPP/C has had 19 years to create these jobs that they are now talking about.
Forsythe, Bishop Juan Edghill and Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn were among the several PPP campaigners who spent some time in Moraballi Street, Retrieve, a central point in the community at Mackenzie, trying to garner the support of residents.
“I am asking you to give us five years in this region and see how we would transfer it to the betterment of the people in Linden and Region 10,” Forsythe urged.
According to Forsythe, Bai-Shan-Ling, a wood working company in Region 10, is working on putting up a modern factory in Linden which in the beginning would employ some 800 persons and in the long-term another 400 persons. “We are making sure that we bring jobs physically here, we’re not pulling it from the sky, we have a plan that would bring jobs.”
Just about a handful of persons were present but while persons did not go to the actual area where the meeting was being held, a number of persons could be seen peering through their windows, sitting on their stairs, in verandas, and in their yards.
In nearby streets some neighbours gathered in pockets, apparently listening and discussing the matters being raised by the speakers.
While persons were seen applauding comments being made by the speakers, there were those who loudly made known their disapproval of the PPP. “PPP ain’t do nothing for we neither, why y’all don’t shut up and get out of here,” shouted someone from among a group of youths who sat on the parapet a short distance off from the meeting.
Low electricity rate
At that point Forsythe who was at the microphone was attempting to establish that the PPP/C government had not discriminated against Linden during their time in government. He made reference to the low electricity rate being enjoyed by Lindeners as opposed to residents in other parts of the country.
“Many people are saying that the government discriminate on Linden but in the stronghold of the PPP they are paying $50 a kw while we are paying $5. Tell me where the discrimination is because the people in that area could say that how is it we supporting you so strong and you charging we $50 and charging the people in Linden $5?”
He said further that under the PPP-led government there has been significant growth in the economy of Linden and the party would want to do much more but it faces a number of challenges because of the divisions in the regional administration.
He accused APNU of incorporating in their manifesto a number of policies that the PPP government has been implementing and in some cases has on the front burners to be done.
Pointing fingers at the administration of the RDC, Forsythe said that because of poor management, every year millions of dollars which are allotted for capital works are returned to the coffers of the treasury because of a rift in the administration. He was referring to the RDC being a predominantly PNCR grouping with the representation of the PPP and AFC being minimal.
There is a constant struggle between the two parties in Region 10 since the position of Regional Executive Officer is a government-appointed one and since the council is PNC-strong they often do not see eye-to-eye on issues.
“Don’t let those people fool you. I want we to win Region 10 so that we can have a better synchronization and development for the people. Don’t let the opposition play politics with people’s lives, it’s time that stops.
They had 47 years and I am not pleased with the development.”
