IT is critical that the government begins to understand and learn from the continuing fallout from the events in Linden and surrounding areas.

It is vital that central government, which includes parliament and the opposition realise that there must be put in place an acceptable plan that is both fair and firm to address further protests and any future government responses to them.
The idea that local authorities or groups can use some means of protests that may threaten the security and wel-being of other citizens as a bargaining tool cannot be encouraged or accepted. Following hard on the heels of the defiance at Kwakwani on the government-appointed IMC, the people of Port Kaituma are now blocking roads to compel governmental action? Where will such actions end? The people need a forum to address their grievances, but that forum must be their duly elected officials in parliament and local governments within the laws of the constitution.

No government by any party can ignore the consequences that can occur if central government powers can be usurped or the laws of the constitution ignored.  The President must do whatever is necessary to see that the agreement with Linden is carried out to the letter and on schedule, while keeping the public informed.  He must also insist that his ministers be more focused and proactive in preventing conditions within their jurisdictions from getting to the point of protest and justified calls for redress.  The PM and local government ministers should be providing more oversight to ensure projects and programmes in the regions are being implemented properly and reported accurately.