THERE has been a lot of chaos, uncertainty and fear with the ongoing situation in Linden. Many writers have expressed their views on the causes and effects. For me, one thing is certain and that is: the blocking of the bridge and access roads to the rest of Guyana must end now before it escalates to other parts of Guyana. Cutting off the livelihoods and removing the ability of other communities to survive cannot be classified as peaceful.

The argument that Linden is an economically depressed community and as such should be treated differently is inherently flawed. If one were to use the parameters used by opposition elements to define an “economically depressed community” it would mean that many other communities in Guyana can also be classified as such. There are many other much poorer communities than Linden that struggle to survive.
I have a couple of friends in Linden and most of them have electric stoves. Where else in Guyana do people have electric stoves? The last time I visited Amelia’s Ward, I didn’t leave with the impression that it is any different to the other communities I have visited across Guyana. In fact, I wish to reiterate that I have seen communities that are way much more deprived than Linden.

If some people in Georgetown and other parts of Guyana want to foot the electricity bill for the people of Linden, then they can do that by direct donations from their salaries. They can apply the same principle used to deduct tithes paid to the churches. If my taxes are being used to subsidise the use of electric stoves etc, then I will have to re-examine whether I should pay taxes at all. I want my taxes to contribute to the development of Guyana, for example the building of a fixed bridge across the Demerara River among other initiatives. The G$3 billion annual subsidy can be used towards the repayment of a loan to build this bridge.

President Ramotar needs to lead. He was democratically elected by the majority of the people to do that. If the armed forces conclude that he is weak he will be disrespected and his command will carry no authority.
Soldiers are trained to respect and respond to authority and command. That is why I believe that every President should have served in the military to understand this principle. This is even more important in Third World countries where institutional infrastructure and systems are weak.

The Joint Services are approaching the situation in Linden incorrectly and they know this. They have been giving poor advice to the President. The army has a principle of three to one. That is, for every protester there should be at least three Joint Services ranks. Two to one can work also. What is required is a show of force through overwhelming numbers to crush the protest, remove the barriers and restore calm and order and secure the bridge and access roads. There should be units clearing the barriers and removing the protesters and another team preventing the replacement of these barriers. This way, loss of lives can be minimised since the use of firearms will not be necessary or can be minimised.
The police should be in front with the GDF bringing up the rear and giving support. The best time to assault is at dawn before daylight. We have enough joint services ranks to achieve this. Has the President considered forming a Reserve Unit within the Police Force? More on that in another letter.

For those people that supported the AFC, is this you expected? Did you vote for Ramjattan et al to support the lawlessness in Linden?

It is time to end this now. The business community and the productive people of Linden who stand to lose a lot are crying and begging for this madness to end. The Commander-in Chief needs to act.