ALL the newspapers of Saturday January 18, 2014 carried reports of Opposition Leader David Granger calling for a better standard of living in Region 10.
Clearly, the call by Granger and his party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), is designed to create the impression that Region 10 is neglected by the administration. It is also subtly insinuating racial discrimination since it is known that mostly Afro-Guyanese live there.
However, the facts are vastly different. People in Linden, where the bulk of the citizens in Region 10 live, enjoy free electricity. In no other area is this happening.
That area has one of the most modern and equipped hospitals in our country. It’s a new and well equipped hospital.
Under the influence of the political Opposition, including APNU, the school was destroyed by arsonists. Business people suspected to be government supporters either by their race or because they make their views known are attacked and many leave in fear of their lives.
The government spent billions keeping the bauxite industry afloat until it found investors to take over the company.
Moreover, tax concessions were given to a company to establish a call centre in the area that is providing many jobs. Jobs are also created by companies in the forestry sector.
Clearly Granger cannot be serious, his talk is cheap.
The Government also set up a fund, LEAP, which was raided by Granger’s supporters. It would be interesting to publish the names of all those who took loans from LEAP and how many were repaid.
The problem in Linden is that the Opposition has created a dependent mentality in the area. They expect that government must give them everything.
Moreover, they have also created a callous outlook in some of their supporters. The bullyism, threats, etc., are what the Opposition offer their supporters as leadership.
That is why they burnt down government buildings, including schools. They seem to want to exhaust government funds by their wanton actions.
The government is now rebuilding it.
Clearly, the APNU/AFC leadership in Region 10, like the Georgetown City Council, is disastrous. It has led to chaos and decline.
Why are we surprised? They did it to the whole country when they were in power from 1964 to 1992!
REBECCA CONSTANCE
