Dear Editor,
The Prime Minister says the Linden electricity hike is “not motivated by race based politics.” The state-owned Guyana Chronicle in its July 2 editorial seeks to use race-based politics as its motivator in addressing the Linden issue. The instant editorial titled, ‘Opposition rampages to sow disunity in the country’ among other things posited that, “The opposition leaders who encourage their supporters in Linden to feel that other Guyanese, including poor single mothers and old people struggling for their sustenance and that of their families should pay taxes and higher electricity rates so that electricity consumed by Lindeners could continue to be subsidised should remember that it is also opposition members throughout the rest of the country who are helping to sustain Linden’s free use of electricity consumption, so this issue should not be one of politics, but of equitable rights for all Guyanese.” This editorial must be condemned by every citizen and organisation desirous of peaceful co-existence. More importantly said editorial has no evidential basis.
The use of the state-run and tax-funded media under this administration has not been to weld this nation together, foster racial harmony, end discrimination and strive for good governance. The PM’s statement and Chronicle’s editorial following on the heels of President Ramotar’s similar appeal to an Indian community on May 5 brings to the fore the dangerous waters this nation is charting. Clearly, the government is fearful that should the Linden issue get its deserving scrutiny, they’d be exposed, so they are gambling that the application of bigotry would offer escape from discharging their duty without fear, favour or ill will. And unfortunately while such has gained traction as seen in reportage and the blogosphere, if the government is not held accountable, including being asked the appropriate questions to get to the bottom of their actions, they will continue to exploit this nation for their self-serving end.
It’s in the PPP’s interest to pit groups against each other and incense the coastlanders against Lindeners who are being painted as free-riders; the African community, including the young, are being labelled and criminalised and it is being made a party political matter. They are banking that previous divisive successes would bring them another victory. They also hope the Linden issue would offer the needed camouflage to the GPL’s request before the Public Utility Commission (PUC) for a 20 per cent hike on coastlanders, which Dr Roger Luncheon says may be as much as 30 per cent.
Unless the PPP is prepared to use taxpayers’ money to subsidise their Linden supporters their unjust electricity hike will equally hurt them. They are ignoring the fact that while their strategy over the years has been to punish the community for enjoying their right to freedom of association and self determination, this electricity matter touches the core of the economic well-being of all, including their supporters, who have participated in the protest and are equally vocal about their inability to pay. Evidently their supporters are equally concerned about not being consulted and their efforts/input at self determination being disregarded.
To this end the PM’s July 4 interview with Mark Benschop (guyanaobserversnews.org) is revealing. In referring to PPP supporters he says they are “submissive” and accept things as they are, while the opposition supporters see things as they ought to be and are always agitating. This is a demeaning and insulting statement made about the people who voted for Mr Hinds and others, and consistent with our voting pattern this specifically refers to the Indian community which forms the party’s base. However, it should be said that freedoms, liberties and rights are deepened and secured in the long run by those who see things the way they ought to be and agitate to make the world a better place.
Albeit the PM’s inaccurate account of the bauxite industry and doubtful claim that he paid for electricity as a manager, what stands out is the tenor of his comments, which are devoid of feelings and contemptuous of his constitutional responsibility, as a paid public servant, to this nation. And even as the PM dispassionately admits that taxpayers pay his bills and will continue to do so after he leaves office, he seems uncaring about those carrying his burden along with theirs, and probably doesn’t even feel the need to conserve.
His contempt for the right of citizens to be heard and involved in decision-making that impacts their well-being is revealed in his pronouncement that while he is prepared to talk, the government has already made a decision, confirming that this is a man who operates by diktat; not one who understands that according to this country’s law (constitution) governance is by consent and is so outlined in the Political Objective of the Society at Article 13.
Notably, as the PM admits the government provides Guyana Power and Light (GPL) with a 30 per cent subsidy, he simultaneously makes an argument that the government can no longer subsidise Linden. The GPL suffers a line loss of more than 32 per cent, while the Linden Electricity Corporation Inc (LECI), which is separate and distinct from the GPL, has a line loss of 15-20 per cent.
Contrary to the propaganda Lindeners never received free electricity. Electricity constituted deferred wages/salary which the government gave away, along with the workers’ electricity generating equipment, and it has since been charging Lindeners for their electricity. Further, no one knows about the NICIL/LECI relationship and how much is paid for electricity purchase from the tax-exempt BOSAI bauxite company. This is pertinent information the PM is withholding from the public, opting instead to sow seeds of discord among the people.
And whereas the government pronounces that GuySuCo is too big to fail and makes efforts to ensure it doesn’t, and equally seeks to respect the right of coastlanders to be heard through the PUC, they cannot have dissimilar approaches to the bauxite communities and their residents. Sugar and bauxite constitute the traditional productive sector and if GuySuCo is too big to fail, Linden and Region 10 are too important to be destroyed. The Linden issue is about race-based politics because the PPP has made it so. This society must stand up for what is just and demand the rights of Lindeners be respected.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
