The Government of Guyana would undoubtedly be quite encouraged by the general positive responses from the international community to help in ensuring that this nation’s future is not jeopardised as it continues to seek a peaceful and realistic resolution to the crisis situation that has developed in Linden.
Specific examples would include the active interest shown by representatives of foreign diplomatic missions in Georgetown for a resolution to the challenges that have arisen as a direct consequences of the situation in Linden as well as  in tangible  economic assistance which continues to flow for various programmes and projects within the framework of the government’s overall development strategy.
A most welcome and timely example of this economic partnership assistance was last Wednesday’s ceremony involving US$6million (G$1.2B) for the Amerindian Development Fund. It was made available by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of the tranche of US$70 million that Norway has provided for the Guyana REDD+ and Investment Fund (GRIF) consistent with the government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
At the ceremony, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh told the UNDP’s Resident Representative, Khadjia Musa, how “privileged” he felt to be part of “this historic moment” that coincided with the period of  ‘World Indigenous Day” and knowing how integral is the funding for development projects in 166 communities.
As the government keeps faith with our indigenous communities, it becomes all the more urgent for a resolution to the current problems in Linden that continue to negatively impact the lives of people in other regions. This concern was emphasised last week by the Toshaos of Region 9 when condemning ongoing “criminal acts” and urging instead “respectful negotiations”.
That sentiment is strongly shared by representatives of other Amerindian communities and regions that are affected in various ways as a consequences  of destructive tactics and sheer criminal activities by extremist elements exploiting  the political stand-off in Linden,made worse by ongoing acts of arson and other criminal activities.
The release by the UNDP of the US$6million for the Amerindian Development Fund would also have been a reminder of the positive  leadership provided over the years by the politician the opposition loves to hate–former President Bharrat Jagdeo .
Among his quite significant contributions for Guyana’s development was the historic partnership established with Norway to make a reality of the Low Carbon Development Strategy that has become a regular reference point by governments and institutions far beyond the Caribbean Region.
For their part, while the representatives of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) has appropriately spoken against the “devastating impact” of the developments in Linden for the business community, they would well appreciate the importance in helping to ensure that Guyana’s  significant social and economic progress over the years, is not impeded or, worse, derailed by elements and forces bent on fulfilling narrow, self-serving political agendas.