Lindeners continue tariff hike protest

Scores of Lindeners picketed while Parliament was in session on Wednesday with the aim of having the National Assembly reverse government’s decision to increase electricity rates.
During the protest, the irate protestors used placards to communicate their frustration with the government, and moreso Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who hails from the mining town. Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon joined in the protest to lend solidarity to his fellow Lindeners and reiterated the need for economic development in the mining community before any increase in electricity tariff.
He argued that Parliament has the authority to make the decision on whether or not to increase the electricity rates. “I don’t think the people in Guyana, especially the politicians, quite understand the situation; this is more about people being able to pay… This is what will become of the social condition of Linden once the opposition is persuaded by the government… Show us where the economy has grown in Linden for the past 20 years and we will pay,” Solomon argued.
He posited that conversation of electricity is not the issue since the consumption is bound to increase. He stated; “Think about moving people from 0 percent to 400 per cent; it will go up and once it goes up, we want to know where the money will come from… Where in the economy does it exist that Region 10 can pay the increase; we cannot pay it and that is it.”
Solomon stated that while there are other issues, this is one of the pressing ones that must be addressed with some form of urgency. He said that the decision was taken to picket the Parliament based on the fact that the decision makers are there to represent the people.
Meanwhile, a few residents also shared their concerns, suggesting that without job creation and opportunities, it will be difficult to pay the increase that was announced. One woman, Leonie Alexander stated that she is a single parent and has to provide for her children, and pay utility bills, and with the increase, it is bound to cripple her financial capabilities.
Another resident, Stephens stated that Linden is being treated as if it is not a part of Guyana. Too often, he noted that Linden has been isolated and thinks that it is time to put it on the map.
On Tuesday, scores of Lindeners also picketed the Office of the President with the same objectives. The increase in the electricity is expected to take effect from July 1.
Regional Parliamentarian Vanessa Kissoon, on Tuesday stated that Lindeners cannot afford to pay an increase in electricity as she reinforced the town’s position on the situation.
She related that the government continues to place additional hardship and burden on the residents of Region 10, and is all because “we did not vote for them on the 28 November”.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds recently urged Lindeners to desist from saying that the mining town is a depressed community, noting that its issues are not unique. He said government as promised will be reforming the Linden electricity system from July 1 through a system of gradualism and selectivity. Linden Electricity Company Incorporated (LECI) customers on the Mackenzie shore will receive the first 50kwh at Gy$5 the current rate, further consumption will see them paying Gy$50 per kWh while businesses will pay Gy$65. In addition, at Wismar; the Linden Utility Services Coop Society Linden (LUSCSL) customers will see a similar increase as well. Their current rates stand at Gy$7 for residential customers and Gy$15 for commercial consumers.