MEMBERS of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) during a recent visit to the mining town of Linden, pledged to support the Linden Chamber of Commerce (LCC) in achieving the goals which will allow the community to become a sustainable and economic viable town.
The members included businessman Gerry Gouveia who met with the Linden Chamber of Commerce and other important stake holders, such as the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN), Mayor and Town Council (MTC), Bosai Minerals Incorporated along with several business in Linden. The meeting focused on how the town can position itself to benefit from the economic wealth that can be garnered from the imminent construction of the Linden to Lethem road.

Gouveia said that the PSC will render all the needed assistance to the LCC and other stake holders, but posited that the secret lies in more collaboration. He urged them to establish a committee including representatives from the LCC, LEN, MTC, RDC and Police, as well as other major stake holders, and to hold a monthly statutory meeting which will enable them to discuss pertinent issues while bringing solutions. Gouveia said that the Private Sector in Linden needs to position itself and be more organised, so that the Government does not have the power to make all the decisions within the town since bureaucracy at times hampers progress. Gouveia also urged the stakeholders to remain positive and optimistic as this spirit will permeate across the town. “Nothing is impossible, if you got an idea, get it done …as businessmen, no one will give you anything, you have to earn it,” Gouveia said.

The established businessman made mentioned of Linden’s tourism potential and how the industry can create scores of jobs for Linden youths. Gouveia alluded to the beauty of the Demerara River that runs through Linden and how that river can be used to generate revenue through organised tours, boat rides etc. He gave many anecdotes of how he emerged from a poor youth growing up in the community of Lodge to a successful businessman and the secret of gaining such successes. “I am a living example of how talk turned into action.”
President of the LCC, Kevin Deyounge also encouraged the stakeholders to collaborate and to unite more for greater progress as they are currently working in isolation. “We need to understand it is not about sitting down and waiting, yes Mr. Gouveia is going to come and assist but he is not coming to fetch Linden Chamber of Commerce, he is coming to assist, we have to pull our weight and try to move forward ourselves,” Deyounge urged.

Chairman of LEN, Klensille Grenville also alluded to collaboration and more action as Linden is in dire need of stronger heads to take to the wheel at a time when wealth is approaching. He said that it is time for the rhetoric to end and action to begin, as the current attitude to the major stake holders has sapped the will of the people. He said. “ we need to be more involved and that is where we are lacking…if we don’t come together as a people and really don’t sanction our authority, nothing will happen.” Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland said that he is happy that the PSC has responded positively to Linden’s trajectory and that he has accepted all of the advice on how to materialise same.