PRESIDENT David Granger in his feature address to the residents of Linden at the re-launching of the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) yesterday said that the people should be more prudent and innovative. Speaking to a massive audience, the President underlined the sad reality that the “glory days of bauxite are over’” and the people should focus on self-employment.
LEN has been established to create an availability of funding for the small man who wishes to establish or expand a business within the region.
“LEN has opened a new door for self-employment within the region as this profession encourages one to save,” articulated President Granger.
Being cognisant of the fact that the demand for bauxite has declined and will become obsolete as synthetic materials are preferred in the manufacturing arena, the President embraced the initiative of LEN as this would create self-employment opportunities for the residents.
“Because of the bauxite situation, Linden must not be a town of impossibilities and there is no reason for Region 10 to be poor,” posited the President.
Behind this reasoning was the fact that Region 10 has in its possession resources that could create prosperity. The resources include timber, an abundance of agricultural lands and beautiful tourist scenes. In addition, the region bordering several other regions such as 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 can be deemed well connected and advantageous.
“Linden is the belly of Guyana and is well connected, well wired. Why should you be poor?” asked the President.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
He urged Lindeners to become innovative and to think outside of the box and this would lead them to financial success. With over 30,000 residents, and over 20,000 square kilometres, Region 10 can be considered rich in human capital and this capital could be fully utilised if they be innovative and plan effectively, so that Linden could become like a state. The President reasoned that Linden being equipped with its own schools, hospitals, cultural facilities, museum and other infrastructure should be very prosperous.
With the re-establishment of LEN and the first budgetary appropriation of $150 000 000, Lindeners can now benefit from business loans to realise business ideas and to expand already established small businesses that are struggling to grow.
He advised that persons with business ideas should think outside of the box by following a different path in their line of business. “If you have a fish shop, start selling fish and sweet potato chips instead of the regular plantain chips and you will see, your business will bloom,” advised President Granger.
THE PILLARS OF LEN
With the conviction that micro-credit can make a difference in the economic situation in Linden, the President listed four areas under which LEN should function.
“The Pillar of Investment is the most important pillar, as capital is the utmost necessity in any business venture and that is the main reason why priority was given to LEN in the 2015 budget.
“We are going to ensure that LEN remains viable and not starved of resources, as Linden will become a womb of entrepreneurship,” President Granger assured residents.
The Pillar of Information should be deemed market research, as one cannot develop an enterprise without proper information as to what is demanded from their customers.
The Pillar of Infrastructure facilitates business activities. Available infrastructural development will prompt foreign and local investors to consider investment, if there is infrastructure to accommodate swift travelling.
“Linden should be equipped with its own aerodrome and proper roads connecting places such as Lethem, as this would encourage business activity,” mentioned the President.
The Pillar of Innovation as alluded to earlier will allow the real purpose of LEN to be fulfilled, as being original will ensure the achievement of greater economic success, President Granger advised, “Don’t look at LEN as a box hand, but as an economic agreement.” If these pillars are firmly established, then commercial banks will not have reason to refuse the small man who may not reach their loan requirements.
According to President Granger, LEN is just a fragment of the entire Linden Action Plan, which will guarantee the elimination of poverty from Linden. LEN, which was formed since 2009, has now been re-launched as it was experiencing financial problems resulting from the lack of government funding.

By Vanessa Braithwaite