THE town of Linden, in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice), has the potential to make a major contribution to the future development of Guyana, and under the continued leadership of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C), growth in the region will soar. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar, both made this assertion while addressing several meetings with residents and members of the business community in the mining town, yesterday.
As they arrived, the party members were joined by a large group of supporters from the area, as they proceeded on a ‘walk about’ through the heart of the town, chanting and calling, “who we voting for; Donald for President”.
In his address, the Prime Minister highlighted the developments to date that have swept Guyana and Region 10 in particular, over the last 19 years.
He explained, “As we go to the elections after being 19 years in government, we talk about our record and the great changes we have brought about which are clearly evident for people in Linden to see. We go to the population saying that we have been able to do material things, our production and income these days is about three times what they were in 1992, and we are now at a platform for take-off, and under President Donald Ramotar, we will certainly go places.
According to Hinds, improvements in education, health care, improved access to housing and water, are all manifestations of the commitments that the PPP/C has delivered on, over the past two decades.
“Most of the schools were run down and dilapidated, many were in Lodge buildings, and particularly the school building programme in Linden reflects that we always look to Linden as we look to any part of Guyana. We can look to the new hospital and the expansion in the housing sector in Linden, where 1000 lots will soon be added.
Meanwhile, the PPP/C Presidential Candidate reiterated that Linden has a very important role to play in the future development of Guyana, especially in mining, as Government looks to expand the sector there.

Productive sectors
Alluding to additional areas for development, he said, “Apart from that, we are looking at agriculture as another very important area that Region 10 can broaden its economic base with; we are fortunate that we have land and we have fresh water and good farmers, we can take advantage of what is happening internationally, not only to secure our own food supply, but to be able to export food to other parts of the world and earn much more.”
In addition to this, there are good opportunities for jobs in the timber-processing sector in Linden, with a lumber-drying unit recently commissioned in Wismar; and work has begun by Bai- Shan-Lin to establish a large timber-processing plant on the Demerara River.
He noted too that, with the installation of the fibre optic cable from Lethem to Georgetown, which passes through Linden; there will be opportunities through access to technology to build on the platform created by the One Laptop Per Family Programme (OLPF).
“The whole question of ensuring that everyone has a laptop and be familiar with the computer is because the technology is all playing bigger and bigger roles in the economy and social life, and we want to ensure that we do that. The cable will also enhance the growth of the Toucan call centre and the establishing of new centres to create more jobs,” Ramotar highlighted.
Job Creation
Ramotar acknowledged that one of the major concerns facing the residents of Linden, particularly the youths, is the issue of access to gainful employment, and assured that the PPP/C’s programmes and policies are geared towards addressing this critical issue.
In this regard, he explained that the Amaila Falls Hydro Power project is geared towards helping to stimulate and encourage investment in manufacturing, agro-processing sectors and other areas, which will, in turn, require technical skills.
He said, “We are preparing for that and we are trying to strengthen our technical institutes …Region 10 has a very good history in developing technical skills, and a good level of technical education here, so when the hydropower gets here and we stimulate large-scale processing and manufacturing, we will have the human capital to manage what we are investing.”
Ramotar pointed out that his party has always recognised the importance of educating the nation, thereby creating access to employment, and has invested heavily in the construction of schools and training.
As to the advantages of this, he said, “For students, we have invested in the education learning channel, we are the only country in the Region that has done this, so that children can supplement and improve their education. We feel that in another three to five years, Guyana will be a leading country in education and very computer literate.”
Addressing members of the business community at the Watooka Guest House, Ramotar assured that once the PPP/C is re-elected, his administration will continue to work along with the members of the community to ensure the continued development and sustainability of the sector in the region.
He urged Region 10 residents to look at all the development and expansion in the area as evidence that Linden has shared in the overall development of the country.
“When we say that we have dug our country out of a hole, we mean it; we have worked hard for our country and Linden has been transformed, more business has been coming here; only last week a new bank was opened; this testifies to the dynamism of the society and the best days are still ahead for this community. I urge you, if you want the progress that we started to continue, and not be reversed, as in 1964, I urge you let us, hand in hand, side by side, together work to make our country and people realise their full potential,” he said.
While in Linden, Prime Minister Hinds and Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar were invited to an interview on the television programme, ‘Together We Build’, where they highlighted future plans for the mining town.