“July 1 will be a symbolic day that the government will never forget Region 10 for,” Regional Chairman Kuice Sharma Solomon warned as he addressed residents of Linden who turned out yesterday to protest the imminent increase in electricity rates.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds had announced that the increase will take effect from July 1, a position Lindeners want the government to review since they say they do not have the means to pay.
The directive to institute the increase was handed down to Chief Executive Officer of the Linmine Secretariat, Horace James, who manages the Linden Electricity Company Inc (LECI), which purchases power from Bosai for public distribution.
Linden Utility Services Co-op Society Limited (LUSCSL) purchases from LECI for distribution at Wismar.
Since the announcement, Lindeners have staged several protests; yesterday was one such. Hundreds of residents took to the streets marching from Sunflower Street, Burnham Drive to One Mile, down Winifred Gaskin Highway, across the Mackenzie/Wismar bridge onto Casuarina Drive then to the Washer Pond road. They then moved into Sir David Rose Avenue and onto Republic Avenue and assembled at the Mackenzie Market Square where they were addressed by several leaders.
While on the bridge the protestors were divided for approximately half an hour as some insisted that the bridge should be blocked for the day, while others felt the protest should continue in a peaceful non-disruptive manner as planned. Approximately 200 persons stood their ground at the centre span of the bridge and it took the admonishing of Solomon for them to finally agree to move on.
Commander of the Police E & F Division Clifton Hicken, in the company of his area commander, Superintendent Michael Sutton was heard instructing Solomon to get the people off the bridge.
There was a heavy police presence throughout the street march. Heavily armed ranks had advanced to the bridge. Some were positioned in the police vehicle at the centre span, but as the protestors got onto the bridge the police removed and stood a distance off.
Apart from Solomon, others making remarks were Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon, Secretary of the Committee of Management and Regional Councillor Charles Sampson, trades union activist and Regional Councillor Leslie Gonsalves.
Solomon emphasized that Linden will not have a problem paying more for electricity. “It is not that we are not willing to pay but the fact is we cannot pay,” he said. “More than 80% of the residents don’t have jobs. Where are they going to get the money to pay when they can’t even pay the existing rates?“
He said that with the support of residents they are willing to go whatever length is necessary, to have the decision put on hold.
“If this hike is to take effect Linden will collapse in six months,“ Solomon stated. He insisted that the government should have had consultations with residents before moving to institute the increase.
“We already feeling the steam, cause people ain’t buying,” a market vendor said. “Business is at its worse in this place. Is kill dey gon kill Linden cause we done half dead.”
Another vendor said, “Look at de millions dey waste with LEAP? De Linden- Lethem Road not a thing; transhipment container bond, a white elephant; the demonstration farms a rip off; LEAF revolving fund a stinking mess and I could go on and on.”
The rally concluded on the note that residents will stage a massive protest and day of prayer on Sunday, July 1. They plan to march from all corners of Linden and converge in front of the Toucan Call Centre on Sir David Rose Avenue for a grand service.
Most private businesses closed their doors and joined the protest yesterday. All the ferry services closed off at 7 am yesterday and resumed operations after the rally.
