Hundreds turned out to witness the opening of Linden Town Week 2012, which took place amid protests over the impending hike in power tariffs and residents turning their anger on the APNU, which it overwhelmingly voted for at last year’s regional and general elections. The launch of the annual event took place last Sunday afternoon at the Linden/Georgetown Bus Park with the customary pomp and ceremony.
APNU leader David Granger, IMC Chairman Orrin Gordon, Sharma Solomon and Vanessa Kissoon at the opening ceremony
The week-long celebration was declared opened by the Interim Management Committee Chairman Orrin Gordon. Delivering the feature address, Principal of the Wismar/Christianburg Secondary School, Cleveland Thomas admonished Lindeners to take up the mantle with much pride and dignity.
The event is being held under the theme: “Celebrating our Diversity while Reclaiming Linden’s Identity.” Thomas told his Linden brothers and sisters that it is time they put aside their differences and unite for what is good and just.
It is time he says, for Linden to wake up and fight to put an end to all the struggles of life. “In a democratic nation, the voice of the people must be heard,” said the headmaster.
He also posited that Linden may have lost its identity, but noted that there is still time for the town’s identity to be reclaimed. “Our identity back in the 60s, 70s and even 80s was so great, was so grand; and sometimes I stand by and weep to see what Linden has retrogressed into, that old saying that says it takes a village to raise a child, I experienced that personally.”
He explained that in the past, children were very submissive to the elderly and leaders of the town and residents alike guided the young generation in the past into the right direction. But things have changed he said, noting that it seems as though trust is in limited supply. “Now when I look at Linden I am scared to send my 10-year-old boy with the men of Linden because of our strange lifestyle that has popped.”
He went on to say that he was deeply hurt by the fact that someone attempted to rape a little boy the previous evening. He said children should not be targeted but should be nurtured into well respected human beings that will make meaningful contributions to our society. The headmaster emphasised the importance of establishing a good family relationship.
Addressing the issue of single parent families, the headmaster advocated for fathers to take up their responsibilities especially those who have abandoned their children.
Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon used his speech to address the issue of the possible removal of electricity subsidy and the increase of tariffs. He told the gathering that it will bring hardship on an already economically-challenged town.
“As Lindeners and residents of Region 10, only we can truly appreciate how hard it is to survive in this area. How necessary it is for us to depend on the charity of family and friends who live overseas. How difficult it is to find jobs. Only we know the strain of living on pay cheque to pay cheque.”
The chairman posited that residents cannot afford an increase in electricity tariffs which will likely result in a higher cost of living. “I would wish to ask proposers of this if they could identify for us where in the economy of Region 10 could residents find the monthly Gy$ 160 million necessary to pay that increase. Show us where we can find this additional money without going hungry or homeless?”
Alliance for Change Member Nigel Hughes called on residents of the town to stand up for their rights and be integrally involved. “Nobody else must speak for you, Linden must speak for itself and therefore, whenever the leaders of this country get together to discuss the future of this country and if the discussions of the future of this country involves the discussion about the future of Linden, well then persons from Linden must be in those discussions or there must be no discussions at all.”
Hughes contended that there must be no secret discussions about the future of Linden or any other community in Guyana without community representatives especially when decisions will affect the lives of commuters. “So whenever the good leaders decide to get together again whether in secret or in public, then Linden must be represented by one of their own…”
In closing he pledged his party’s support to the people of Linden. “The AFC will not stand in front of you but we will always stand beside you and offer you support. I want to also say on behalf of the Alliance for Change how shallow our memories are as a nation because when this good town supplied the rest of the country with electricity we seem to have forgotten those days.”
Leader of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), David Granger in his brief remarks, made it clear that his party will by no means support an increase in electricity for the people of Region 10.
Protests
Meanwhile as the politicians spoke on stage, protestors circled the audience peacefully with their placards to signal their disapproval of government’s intention to increase electricity tariffs.
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