Dialogue with gov’t is in the interest of the people – Granger

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Leader David Granger last Friday said he has not consented for a hike in Linden’s electricity tariff as reported by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on Thursday.

“I have asked the prime minister to clarify his remarks about gradualism that we expect that certain economic and other recommendations that were made be put in place and functioning before there is a change in the tariffs, that was very clear and that’s APNU position.” At the time Granger was speaking during a televised programme broadcasted by the National Communications Network (NCN) Linden branch, in the presence of APNU Deputy Chairman Rupert Roopnarine and Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon. The programme was moderated by APNU Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon.

It was reported on Friday that the APNU led by Granger, agreed with the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) to have Linden electricity rates increased. The announcement sparked a lot of tension and anger by members of the town, forcing the opposition leader and his team of APNU supporters to make an emergency dash to the bauxite town.

Following the meeting between the APNU delegation which met with President Donald Ramotar; Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and several senior government officials, the prime minister reported it was agreed that the first stage of tariff adjustment would be implemented along the outlines and in a manner that would ensure adherence to the allocation provided in the 2012 Budget, with budgetary constraints in mind. He noted too that bauxite pensioners will receive the first 100kwh each month free and pay for half of whatever is over that amount for the rest of the year. Granger, speaking after the meeting, refuted allegations that his party had “sold out” Lindeners by accepting government’s move to raise that community’s electricity tariff, bringing it on par with other parts of the country.

“We haven’t sold out, we are in touch with the people in Linden and we are aware of the issues facing them. That is why it is being put in the framework of a package. That is why the LEN will be revitalised, that is why the health issue is being attended to and that is why we are looking at a gradual movement towards the tariff reformation,” Granger told reporters.

Granger said that all of the issues plaguing the mining town and its residents have not been put on the back burner, noting that the combined opposition is in talks with government about those issues. “Linden’s future, Linden’s interests are being guaranteed by the position of APNU”, Granger said, adding that he does not believe that Lindeners will have to protest again like they did before. He is of the view that the issues affecting Linden were not solely based on the tariff increases, and those issues must be examined entirely.

He added that Lindeners know that they will have to pay increased electricity rates soon. The APNU leader addressing Lindeners on Friday, said following the prime minister’s announcement in Parliament on Thursday, both he and Roopnarine had asked the second in command to amend the statements made. Granger said clarifications were sought from Hinds on the usage of the term “gradualism and selectivity”.

He made it clear that the APNU had outlined and will continue to maintain that it will not support an increase in electricity tariffs for the town and region at large until there is visible economic prosperity and materialisation of developmental activities in the town. He said too that the coalition will vote against the proposal in the National Assembly.

In attempting to explain APNU’s current move to hold discussions with the PPP/ C, Granger explained that it is a technique being used to devise the best possible means to get core issues addressed in the interest of all Guyanese.

As expected, Roopnarine was in full support of Granger and beseeched the people of Linden to continue to trust in the APNU. He reiterated that the APNU will not vote for an increase as long as Linden is economically weak. In the past, government’s proposals have been treated as though they were written in stones, Roopnarine said, noting that but today, the APNU is moving in the direction to amend decisions made by the PPP/ C through negotiation.

Boasting of the APNU’s access to the NCN Linden branch, the deputy chairman said that it was just one stop towards liberalisation.

He posited that in the not so distant future, Lindeners and all of Guyana will be given the opportunity to apply for broadcast license for the establishment of additional television stations.