IN response to questions asked about the accomplishments of the last Regional Democratic Council (RDC), let me say our policies and programmes were guided by the philosophy to play a role in helping the people to determine their destiny, consistent with the spirit and intent of Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution. In keeping with this, the RDC provided requisite leadership to ensure the enabling conditions were made possible for residents and their community development. In pursuit of this, during the life of the 3-year RDC, the under mentioned was realised, pursued and aspired :
a) Stay in Electricity Increase:- After several attempts to get the previous government to rescind its decision when increased electricity tariffs were implemented on July 1, 2012, and through protest action, got the previous administration to reverse its decision. This saved not only Lindeners but the residents of Kwakwani billions, in effect saving the region from virtual economic collapse. Economist, Mr. Rawle Lucas, columnist of Stabroek News’ Sunday Business, stated that because of the struggles of 2012, it was estimated that the region avoided becoming $50B poorer which would have economically and socially destroyed the region;

b) Infrastructure:- the management of regional programmes, including internal roads in Kwakwani, an adoption to have all roads be done to asphaltic standards and not as previously done DBST. Approximately forty-two asphaltic roads were completed over the past three years. We have continued our push for better standard of roads.

c) Youth Empowerment and Education:- Notably the “Experiment to Discover Hope” project, which promoted the establishment of youth groups which then further empowered community programmes; also, the awarding of $50M in scholarships, including medical scholarships, promotion of the development of community grounds in the instance of the GFF/FIFA Bayroc Special Project initiative, and the development of ten community research centres to assist young people in enhancing skills for social integration and life sustenance; working with Pastor Gordon Bishop to have one of these centres set up and running in November, 2014.

d) Formal Mining Education:- Having a mining school. Pursued through efforts to ensure that mining companies that are attracting skills from our community are putting back resources into the training of our young people. Engagements were had with Guyana Gold Fields and Troy Resources – two established companies that will attract over three hundred employees each; and also advocated that LTI accommodate the technical aspect of the mining school which should – at the least – be promoted.

e) Employment:- Hosted recruitment drives. Partnered with businesses to come into the region to recruit skills, worked with the Guyana Gold Fields and other companies, encouraged employment through the promotion of interview sessions.

f) Reconstruction of Moblissa Road:- The RDC, in 2013, engaged Bai Shan Lin to ensure good corporate practices and mutuality of benefits prevail, resulting in the company being held accountable for its environmental stewardship. The $40M farm-to-market road which was destroyed by the company resulting in increased prices for food was rebuilt to a higher standard.

g) Judicial solidarity:- To ensure that the Linden to Kwakwani road was fixed on 6th September, 2013, where twenty two residents – including a 15- year old – were placed before the courts for standing up for their rights, to bring attention to the previous administration’s lack of regard for the welfare of the residents of Sub Region 2, with the inhuman condition of a road which contributes significantly to the national economy. The region worked to afford them legal representation, thanks to attorneys-at-law James Bond and Khemraj Ramjattan.

h) Sewing Project:- The project collaborated with noted local tailor Mr. Carl Bryan. This initiative has a goal to supply school uniforms to our local market.

i) Cooperative Farming:- Four farming communities (including West Watooka and Dallawalla) were identified for the co-op programmes where markets were found and organised for farmers to supply with produce – including the GDF.
j) Hydroponics Programme:- to empower single mothers via production of food through hydroponics, along with agro processing of pepper sauce; both using cheap electricity as an advantage for production; women from Christianburg participated in and benefited from this programme.

k) Street Lights:- With the passing of Councillor Leon Barret through a road accident on the Linden Soesdyke Highway, the region extracted from the Central Government , during the GoG/Region 10 discussion on the August 21 Agreement, a commitment and realisation of street lights along the Amelia’s Ward,/Sir David Rose/ Republic Avenue routes;

l) Linden Commission of Inquiry (LCOI):- Through ongoing resistance, forced Central Government to establish a COI which answered the vexing question of responsibility for the deaths of Ron Somerset, 18; Shemroy Bouyea, 24; and Allan Lewis, 46 on 18th July, 2012, while exercising their constitutional rights. Confirming the culpability of the police, the LCOI made recommendations for police reform which included improvement in police/community relations, holding culpable officers accountable and the Force operating consistent with international procedures and human rights declarations. Compensations have been recommended to the deceased families, though we hold the view that the sums are unreasonable.

m) Safeguarding our Resources and People – Standing firm with the Amerindian village of Hururu. Central government and investors were confronted when engaging in unsustainable environmental practices, extracting our resources for their singular enrichment, the exploitation of our citizens and destruction of our infrastructure; support for the Hururu Village Council for better treatment by investors.

n) Strengthen Local Democratic Organs:- Consistent with the constitutional objective to put power in the hands of the people, the RDC on 6th September, 2012, supported the residents of Kwakwani – where over 60% of the electorate turned out at the Workers’ Club to elect their representatives, rejecting the PPP government-imposed Interim Management Committee.

o) Promoted the Rebuild our Future Program:- the Rebuild Our Future Programme (ROFP) was conceptualised out of the cooperative spirit exhibited during our 2012 struggle and the need to keep it alive in furtherance of the region’s development. This programme includes the burial of our three Martyrs on 1st August, 2012, and some support for their families, also Rebuild One Mile Primary School, establishment of the Linden Martyrs Monument Park and the establishment of the television station. The ROFP has a Working Committee and is administered outside of the day-to-day administration of the region which is independent of this management and is with the participation of stakeholders. The money garnered for this programme is accounted for by professional Accountant of Wilson’s Consulting Service (Linden), deposited at Citizens Bank and audited by D. Bahadur & Co. Chartered Accountants (Georgetown), this was at the insistence of the Council which was made up of Councillors of all three of the political parties. ROFP is chaired by former Councilor Maurice Butters, with Vice Chairman Pastor Sills and members Mayfil Greene, Debbie Evelyn, Claude Williams, and Alieshaw Barker, and others.

p) Land Rights and Development:- Region 10 suffered the indignity of having the PPP Central Government control the egion’s Land Selection Committee. This committee did not function in the residents’ interest but was used as bargaining chips/cesspool for PPP corruption and kickbacks. The 21st August 2012 Agreement saw the return of the Land Selection Committee to regional control. With this reclamation, the RDC embarked on an exercise to ensure residents are given an opportunity to live and to be housed in areas that have been identified for housing and farming. Over 2000 acres of farmland and over 250 house lots for distribution in the BURJAG Housing Scheme in Wisroc.

q) August 21, 2012 Agreement:- For the first time, Central Government has accepted the right of the RDCs to self-determination which is a practice consistent with rights enshrined in the Guyana Constitution under Article 13. This is an agreement that is grounded in the fundamental rights of citizens being respected; including a platform for the establishment of an Economic Committee to analyse the way forward for an economically viable region. The Region should feel encouraged by the new government’s adoption of the Agreement in its manifesto.

r) Television Station:- Under the 21st 2012 Agreement, central government has agreed to return to the people of Linden the television station gifted to them by Greens Construction. On 8th August, 2013, the RDC established the Region Ten Broadcasting Inc. The people of the region, through self-help, have engaged in the construction of the TV station. We await the approval of the license and the return of channel 13 and dish.

s) Community and Stakeholders Engagements:- the RDC over the last three years held over 200 documented community meetings. The goal of these meetings was to strengthen regional government and deepen the right to self-determination. These meetings were valuable since they kept the people involved in the management of their affairs, allowed for residents’ input, feedback of the work being done, listening to and addressing concerns and acting on recommendations;

t) Establishment and Adoption of Community Response Initiatives such as the Beautification Programme which saw the involvement of several dozen stakeholders; also, the Linden Electricity Disruption Manual – the first of its kind by a regional government to address prolonged electricity disruption and stakeholders’ response to alleviate community hardship. Thanks to Bosai and Mr. Horace James for their contribution to this initiative.

u) Women and Gender Issues:- Many of our women face employment challenges and find it difficult to survive and support their families. The plight of our women determines the state of our families, the future of our children and of our community. Out of recognition to address these areas of deprivation, the RDC has been exploring avenues for cooperative ventures as an empowering tool for women to chart their destiny, and committed itself to gather and make available technical support to maximise effort.

v) Media Partnership:- – the media is seen as pivotal to development, good governance and people’s involvement and to this end the RDC pursued a policy of active media engagement. RDC hosted media programmes, had reporters sit in at meetings, and engaged the media on matters of regional and national concerns and importance;

w) Pursued Aspirations (agriculture and cooperatives):- Region 10 is resource rich (bauxite, sand, kaolin deposits, forestry, springs, blue water etc). Our soil type is capable of producing citrus, pineapples, corn, a variety of nuts, including cashew and peanuts, legumes, soy beans, and orchard crops. We also have the capacity to support large scale production of livestock, beef, milk and mutton. Examination of these show potential aquaculture and apiculture development which can create jobs, income generation and also serve national multiuse purposes ranging from the production of goods to use as generating ecosystem services;

x) Needs:- The people of Region 10 need are investment that would redound to their interests. Loans, agriculture extension support, and supportive governmental services in the form of fertilizers, pesticides, research, seeds, and to make this a reality since the last central government was not forthcoming with these investments, the people were encouraged to come together and expand our cooperative drive. The August 2012 Agreement that an Economic Committee, whose task it would be to develop an Economic Plan for the region, would factor in these aspects of development;

y) Challenges- Outside of a truncated term and a wicked administration in the PPP government, challenges to the RDC’s overall achievement caused by natural obstacles in the way and those that have been deliberately placed to hinder our progress was seen throughout the three years. The determination, unity and commitment of the people to have a better quality of life and the belief that together we shall overcome has kept the RDC going in good and not so good times.

SHARMA SOLOMON
Regional Chairman
Region 10