By Vanessa Braithwaite
THE people of Region 10 are excited over potential investments that will guarantee employment for over 300 residents as several investors have expressed interest in establishing various companies and industries there.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian is enthusiastic over these initiatives that will benefit the region in a number of ways, particularly in decreasing the high unemployment rate and creating a basis for development.
Some residents had expressed dissatisfaction over the inability of the previous regional administration to fulfill the promises made publicly to provide jobs through investment opportunities.
“We were told of jobs that will come from investors before but I am confident that with the change of government and everything, that it will now be materialised,” said one optimistic resident, Joy James.

CLAY BRICK FACTORY
Meanwhile, speaking exclusively to this publication, the Regional Chairman disclosed that several investors are in the preliminary stage of launching their companies. One of the investors is a London-based Guyanese who is interested in setting up a clay brick factory. The factory which is to be named Linden Bricks will open with 30 Lindeners in its employ. The investor who is currently in discussion with Go-Invest and is looking to commence production as soon as possible.

VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS
Another investor has noted his interest in lumber and manufacturing value-added products, specifically wood furnishing. This startup company is aiming to commence production with 150 Region 10 residents.
“With the availability of the raw materials right in Linden, we have the competitive advantage and therefore with a young and able bodied existing work force, this investment can be deemed profitable,” posited Morian.
Expressing interest also is an individual who wishes to invest in an oil refinery in Linden. The oil which will be removed from the Takatu Basin will be processed and refined in Linden, according to politician Sandra Adams.
She is currently the Assistant Director of the Community Development Council within the Ministry of the Presidency and has been in discussion with the potential investor who has displayed serious indications towards this venture.
“I am very excited about this investment because with oil comes a lot of wealth and therefore we look forward to prosperity here in Linden when this company materialises,” Adams said.
The Regional Chairman has already signed the lease for an investor who expressed interest in cultivating a special grass for export. The 5,000-acre land located around the Kwakwani/Ituni area will be used to cultivate the cane-like grass. This company will employ a workforce of 150 persons. The investor has already commenced construction of lodging for persons living in Linden who will be working with the firm.
Member of Parliament (MP) Valerie Patterson told the Guyana Chronicle that she is currently in discussion with several investors who wish to utilise the building that was previously used by the Toucan Call Centre that halted operations some months ago.
These investors will give the former employees of the call centre preference as they go about their recruiting process.
The people of Linden are optimistic about these employment opportunities and are anticipating the commencement of production.
“I am very excited because I have been employed temporarily at Bosai as an apprentice and am currently unemployed, so I am hoping to be employed with one of these companies,” one young resident said.
And Isola Amsterdam, a clothes vendor in the Mackenzie Market, said the lack of economic activity in the region is responsible for the “slow business” but investment in the town would foster more customers.
“If jobs are created in Linden and persons invest in the town, there would be more money circulating in the town for persons to spend,” she said confidently.