— Granger tells Lindeners
LEADER of the Opposition and of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Brigadier (Ret.) David Granger told anxious residents gathered on Friday night in a packed room at the Linden Enterprise Network building on Republic Avenue that his recent meeting with President Donald Ramotar did not realise anything such as an agreement to increase tariffs on electricity, as was proposed in the 2012 national budget for the mining town; but the meeting was to ensure that the interests of the Linden community and of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice) residents were heard. Granger and Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine were in the town to quell tensions raised by reports that A Partnership for National Unity had ‘sold out’ on the hot issue of increased electricity rates proposed in the 2012 Estimates for power consumers in Linden. This is against the backdrop of bringing the rates to eventually match those paid by consumers in the rest of Guyana.
Linden residents have enjoyed what has been known as subsidized rates from the inception of the bauxite industry and, of recent, have been paying between $5 and $15 per KWH, as opposed to $64 charged elsewhere in the country.
Word that Brigadier Granger was in town spread like wildfire. The top APNU officials also appeared on the Linden Television Network of the National Communications Network (NCN) earlier in the day, in an obvious attempt to explain what their most recent meeting with the head of government was all about.
Chairing the fiery meeting was Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon, who joined APNU Member of Parliament Ms Vanessa Kissoon, Brigadier (Ret.) Granger and Dr. Roopnaraine at the head table.
The audience included former Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo; Chairperson of the Linden Electricity Cooperative Society Limited, Ms Valerie Adams-Patterson; councillors of the local government organs of the RDC and the Mayor and Town Council; and bauxite workers, vendors, market stall holders and business persons in general.
The Leader of the Opposition said he had made his trip after he had held discussions with Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon and MPs Vanessa Kissoon and Renis Morian, who spoke of concerns raised about statements attributed to Prime Minister Sam Hinds in the National Assembly regarding electricity charges in Linden.
The Opposition Leader explained that, contrary to what was reported about the meeting, it was APNU’s policy to ensure there was no attempt to implement new tariffs for electricity in Linden without dealing with the fundamental problems affecting the people.
He said: “We had met with the PPP side to ensure that the interests of Lindeners and Region 10 residents generally were put on the table; that is to say, the issues that were raised with us. So we did not agree to the proposal which is in the budget for the increase in electricity rates. But what we agreed to was the commencement of an economic programme to relieve the poverty and other problems in Region 10; and it is only after those problems are resolved that we would pay attention to increasing rates. We made it quite clear that we were concerned with the welfare of the people in the region.”
Regional Chairman Solomon opined that he was cautiously optimistic regarding impending increases in tariffs, and what would result from the presentation by the Minister of Finance. Solomon, however, noted thus: “I have been given the assurances by the leadership of the APNU that they have not committed themselves to bring further hardship to the people of Region 10. And I think that is the core issue that we’re discussing, because, with increase in tariffs, it will bring further hardship on the people.”
Dr. Roopnarine said that while they were not in Linden when the most recent protest was made, they felt the heat of what was going on, and they at APNU have become cognisant of what is going on in Linden as it relates to any attempt, at this time, to increase electricity rates.
He, however, said that, following the visit, they were better informed of what the feeling was in Linden.
The Regional Chairman, in looking at the APNU stance on the matter, remarked: “We have advanced a position to them that this matter should be taken completely off the table, and to only be discussed further — maybe in the next two years — after the preliminary issues that were already on the table, such as jobs and the monopoly on the television station, and all the other issues, would have been addressed in a fundamental way that would bring some level of satisfaction to the people.”
When the discussions ended, Lindeners remained divided on the chances of their holding out against increased electricity charges; and today (Sunday), they would expect final closure by the leaders, since Prime Minister Sam Hinds and Opposition Leader Brigadier (Ret.) David Granger are expected to grace the proceedings with their presence when Linden Town Week officially opens at the Linden/Georgetown Bus Park this evening.