MINISTER of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy has described the burning of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) building in Christianburg, Linden, as a loathsome, and irresponsible act intended to create mayhem in the country for political mileage. Dr Ramsammy said that this recent act means that the eight persons that work there on a permanent basis will have some difficulty executing their responsibilities in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice and additionally, others out of the central ministry, the Guyana Livestock Development Association (GLDA) in Mon Repos, the Pesticide Board and NARI who go to Region 10 to do their work and sometimes function in that office, will also be affected.
“The act of burning down the agriculture building does not only hurt the Ministry of Agriculture and affect our effectiveness in delivering service but, impacts on the lives of every citizen of Region 10 directly…also the lives of people across our country… The building itself is valued over $40M but the biggest loss is the records, which are the kind of history with the farmers… so now we are starting all over again,” Ramsammy lamented.
Describing the act as despicable, he appealed to the political leaders who are behind the act and the upsurge in Linden to condemn those acts.
“It is a loathsome leadership style for those who, providing leadership to what is happening in Linden… I know some leaders from Linden in the discussions said that all they are doing is peaceful protest and they do not support what is in effect, a terrorist act…if that is so I would like to hear them say it publicly,” Minister Ramsammy said.
The fact that people are being robbed and made to pay money to gain passage in a country that talks of freedom and democracy, in a protest that is supposed to be grounded in democratic norms, the Agriculture Minister believes that those acts are the most undemocratic actions that anyone can think of.
“When I think of all of this I think what has failed here is the leadership being provided, which is no leadership. It’s a blatant, loathsome effort to create mayhem in our country for political gains that in no way detract from the fact that Lindeners may have a legitimate concern,” the Agriculture Minister said.
He added that government has said from day one that they are willing to further discuss this matter, however, for it to de-generate to the extent it has is irresponsible on the part of those providing leadership.
The burning of the NAREI building will not only affect the Agriculture Ministry staff but will also the farmers, as it is the building used by farmers to seek advice on matters of their concern.
Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said that his staff will try their best in continuing to prove the services.
The NAREI building was torched during early yesterday morning along with a number of other buildings in Linden.