Linden wants economic stability – Solomon

Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon has told residents that if changes are not made to improve their situation, they must not be afraid to take to the streets a second time.

He issued the call while addressing scores of Lindeners at a meeting held at the Palm Tree Cinema Square, Wismar, Linden, on Friday evening. The meeting sought to update the residents of the situation which sparked violent protests over government’s imposed electricity tariff hike, which has since been put on hold, and is being reviewed by a technical team.
“The struggle has taken a new dimension… the government is taking this matter to the Organisation of American States… it means then that the battle is going to take another ground, so the war is still on… don’t lose focus, it hasn’t ended as yet, we still have miles to cover, we still have implementations to see. So, you have to make sure that now the implementations begin because what you would have fought for, the things you would have demonstrated for because they’re saying to you to get back to normalcy, well I’m saying if you’re saying normalcy is going back to one television station, I don’t want that normalcy.”
The regional chairman related to those present that works on the One Mile Primary school is ongoing, and noted that the top beam of the structure when assessed by an engineer, it was realised that it had to be replaced.
He further indicated on Saturday that a quantity surveyor was expected to inspect and determine when structural, plumbing and electrical works will commence.
“We want our school to start rebuilding in two weeks time, we want our implementation for our land selection to begin in two weeks, anytime 10 days pass and we don’t see it happening, we’re going back in the streets, we have two councillors for the Land Selection Committee, in fact, my assistant is working on the motion to go to the council so that we can move a motion to adapt the committee… as it relates to the school, we had the structural engineer who came in and he did the assessment.”
He pointed out that with the Land Selection Committee, the region will be able to understand how lands are being distributed, to whom and for what purpose.
With regards to the Economic Committee, he noted that there are individuals outside of the Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Incorporated, who are willing to invest in Region 10, while noting that the community does not want job security, but economic stability. “Block 37 is worth US$ 6 billion, it is right behind Millies hideout, this is what this community is worth, if you don’t get it, your children or your grandchildren will get it, that is the wealth you’re sitting on, we also have forestry products. This community is the most skilled community and that is proven statistic wise,” he claimed.
He further noted that the setting up of the television station which will see the community having access to private stations is the most advanced project so far.
“We’re going to have a working committee to deal with that. We already have Tony Vieira, who was up here on Tuesday and he checked the dish and transmitter. We already got Mark Benschop, who is trying to source an alternative transmitter because we’re going to transmit to our brothers and sisters in Ituni and Kwakwani.”
Solomon said the funds from contracts that were awarded to upgrade roads, including the one infront of the Linden Hospital Complex, have not been released as the monies remain with the different ministries. However, he said Lindeners should prepare themselves because that is a new battle waiting to be fought.