President Donald Ramotar and a government team met Region 10 officials and members of the opposition political parties for another round of talks aimed at finding a common position on Linden, since protest actions against the decision to increase the electricity tariff in the mining town escalated into an uprising that left three persons dead and buildings razed by fire. Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Sharma Solomon, and Geographic Region 10 Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon, joined a delegation from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) in discussion with the President, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn and Presidential Adviser on Governance Gail Teixeira.
Another meeting is scheduled for today at the same venue (Office of the President) where the two sides will seek to appraise the different positions advanced on the new tariff structure that requires Lindeners to pay more for electricity.
Meanwhile, the government is appealing for calm and the return to normalcy in the town which has become inaccessible as protestors use debris to block the thoroughfare and other access points.
Solomon, speaking to sections of the media after the meeting, said, “the people are prepared to dig in as deep as they have to” until they are satisfied that demands, which he claims are being made on behalf of the people of Linden, are met.
He however came out in condemnation of those unsavoury characters who conducted unlawful acts, although some have argued that organizers of the protest should bear some of the responsibility.
The volatile situation has inevitably harmed the investment and business environment in the town, with the bauxite company operated by Bosai closing its doors and Toucan Connections, the call centre in Linden, which employs almost 150 persons, halting operations.
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) had also joined in the call for peace and for good sense to prevail, following the ugly scene in the mining town and had recently met President Ramotar on the issue.
The decision to increase the electricity tariff in Linden is at the centre of the protest; and following the loss of lives during a faceoff between police and protestors, the President has ordered a Commission of Inquiry to examine the circumstances.
Government and the opposition party APNU, agreed to draft the Terms of Reference for the Commission to be concluded not later than August 2.
Commanding Officer of E & F Division has been removed, fulfilling the wishes of the stakeholders engaged; however the president is reluctant to buy into calls for the resignation of the Home Affairs Minister.
The government said its proposal to APNU during consultations in April remains on the table, according to the president at a press conference on July 20.
Lindeners for years have been enjoying low electricity rates and consume about three times the amount as other consumers on the national grid.
Under this new structure, Lindeners will receive the first 50 kwh per month at the existing prices. The full cost for electricity in Linden is $75-80 per kwh; however, even after the first 50 kwh, bauxite pensioners will pay $50 per kwh, others $50, and commercial and industrial outfits will pay $65.
Even under this new structure, Lindeners will still not pay what other electricity consumers are paying.