GENERAL Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Mr. Clement Rohee has lauded the majority of Lindeners’ rejection of the call for “political confrontation, disunity and division” in relation to the shutdown of the mining town two weeks ago.

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Freedom House headquarters, yesterday, Rohee remarked that the main Opposition seems “preoccupied” with the promotion of disunity.
He said: “There is no indication that we are at the end of PNC’s promotion of disunity and division.
“In contrast the PPP/C remains dedicated to national unity. We believe that every Guyanese deserves equal opportunities and a chance to develop their fullest human potential. Our political work, inclusive of the re-launch of the Party’s Linden office destroyed by arsonists, is part of our struggle,” he added.
According to him, the failed attempt by the People’s National Congress (PNC) to mobilise support for a shutdown at Linden, because of the visit by President Donald Ramotar and other PPP leaders, is demonstrative of a desire by Lindeners to move beyond confrontational politics.
Rohee said: “In the estimation of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), a great majority of Guyanese are becoming increasingly wary of the Opposition’s politics of confrontation, disunity and division which continues to detract from the country’s national development objectives.”
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
He underscored the negative impacts of “opposition politics” and referred to the loss of lives in Linden during the July 18, 2012 unrest, which also saw the burning of public buildings, including schools and bridges and the loss of income to Linden families/households, as well as revenues to the State to reinvest in people’s welfare.
The Minister of Home Affairs continued: “The amount of energy spent on promoting political confrontation and the race to succeed in extremism could be better spent to do more positive and productive things for the people of Region 10, in particular all the Guyanese people in general.”
Rohee pointed out, too, that despite claims about Linden being the most marginalised and impoverished community in Guyana, some $10M was returned to the treasury.
“This money was budgeted for developmental works in Region 10. However, the PNC’s preoccupation to promote disunity and division prevented them from utilising this money for the growth and development of this Region,” Rohee told reporters.
“At present, there’s still unfinished business to fulfil on the PNC’s side, as regards agreements made with the PPP/C Government for the activation of several bodies to advance development in this Region,” he pointed out.
“These individuals ought to know that leadership comes with challenges and responsibilities, which he (Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon) must manage in a way consistent with the aspirations of his constituents. But his most recent misjudgment of the mood of Lindeners tells us he is incapable of effecting good leadership,” Rohee declared.
CREATED UNEASE
Rohee surmised that the re-launch of the PPP’s Linden Office has created “unease” in the Opposition camp.
He said: “From our information, the APNU dispatched a team into that community under the guise of attending their Local Government campaign in Linden. We are convinced that the ‘fear factor’ used by the Opposition against the PPP/C is not working and the resurgence of support for the PPP in Linden has caused jitters among those in the Opposition.”
The PPP General Secretary expressed confidence about the presence of support for the ruling party, despite efforts to discourage such.
Written By Vanessa Narine