THE residents of Linden are appealing to the Government of Guyana to invest in a bitumen plant as recommended by the Regional Chairman Mr Renis Morian. In an interview with this newspaper, Morian posited that this investment will provide adequate jobs for the people of Linden, thus reducing pressure on the government to secure jobs for them.
Presently, Linden has an unemployment rate of 70% and the regional chairman is positive that such an initiative, should it materialise, will provide jobs for over 100 persons.
“A bitumen plant will not only provide jobs for the people of Linden but for surrounding communities such as Ituni and Kwakwani,” the chairman said.
The ready availability of aggregates such as laterite in Linden will further reduce pressure on the government to provide resources to have the project on stream. The chairman revealed that this initiative is nothing new to Linden as a bitumen plant was previously operated which provided bitumen for the construction of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and other roads in the town. During this period, the town benefited tremendously as it aided in the development of the region and the provision of jobs. When the Regional committee met with several communities during their regular visitation campaigns, he related that all of the residents embraced this idea and the Government to refute this initiative, will disappoint the people tremendously.
“All of the people are embracing this idea of a bitumen plant and are excited for it to materialise, so it would be good for the government to provide this employment opportunity for the people of Linden,” he said.
Presently, 80% of the roads in Linden are in a state of disrepair and with the presence of a bitumen plant in Linden, bitumen can be manufactured right there in the mining town, which will further reduce the burden on government.
Commenting on the response of the government on the issue, the regional chairman said he has received mixed responses. However, he is hoping that it becomes a favourable one and the project is expedited. Linden has been deemed a gloomy and dull town with little economic hopes, but according to the Industrial Relations Officer of the Public Service Commission in Linden Mr Morris Butters, Linden is resting on a wealth bucket but only needs the right team and vision to utilise these resources to its maximum capacity.
“The soil that is uprooted to access the bauxite in Linden has multiple resources that are used to manufacture products that are imported,” he mentioned. “If these are utilised properly, Linden will be a better place.” The regional chairman is also urging the government to embrace the petition for a bitumen plant, as this would open avenues to improve the economic situation facing the people of Linden.