— Harmon tells opening of Linden Town Week

LINDENERS received only good news of a blooming future by Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who on Sunday revealed in his charge to officially open Linden Town Week 2018 that the mining town is poised for better days.

Harmon, who was the featured speaker, said Linden will be the beneficiary of projects under the International Solar Alliance Agreement that was signed by President Granger a few weeks ago in India.

He said information he received revealed that the mined-out areas in Linden will be transformed, to green tourism and conservation facilities. The minister of state revealed to the residents and local leaders that Conservation International has expressed interest in the project and particularly making the erosion issue plaguing the community of Coomacka a thing of the past. Lindeners were told that land allocation and land-titling issues will also soon be a thing of the past.

Harmon then charged the residents to use the 10 days of town week activities as a time to come together, reflect and celebrate; for residents to demonstrate solidarity with local leaders and for local leaders to plan and set new benchmarks for the next year, while recommitting themselves to the task of development. One task the minister of state highlighted is to continue following the President’s mandate of moving the town from a mining town to a manufacturing town.

“I am happy to see that the residents of Linden are pursuing this mandate given by His Excellency and venturing into various forms of manufacturing,” Harmon said. He added: “Continue to develop your town as a model town, so as we continue to forge ahead in creating capital towns in every region; Linden will be a positive point of reference for all of these other towns.”

Lindeners, he said, are fully appreciative and in sync with the developmental thrust of the government to establish Guyana as a green state. Alluding to the diverse list of activities on the LTW 2018 calendar, Harmon said that Linden’s rich cultural heritage and diverse business opportunities will be on full display.

He, however, hopes that much more will be in store by 2019.
“As Linden continues along the road of regional economic diversification and economic development, I look forward to seeing a wider range of products of the “Made in Linden” brand and that range of products as I see it, must be part of the Guyana brand. I will also like to see by Town Week 2019, the Linden business community, the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, indeed the entire town of Linden in the process of repositioning themselves to take advantage of the process and opportunities that will come with the influx of visitors and business enterprises that will result from the completion of the highway between Guyana and Brazil.”

He charged the local leaders to have greater collaboration amongst themselves and greater dialogue with stakeholders, while strengthening ties with Lindeners living in the diaspora.
Mayor of Linden Waneka Arindell, spoke of all Linden would have achieved and the various tests that were endured during the 48 years of Linden’s existence.

“I urge you, do not quit, do not stop fighting, keep believing, keep dreaming, keep hoping, because what you are fighting for is not just for now, but for our future generation,” Arindell posited. It is imperative, she said, that Linden continues to uplift its core values, and to allow every resident to play their role in transitioning Linden, while shaping and strengthening our core values.

Despite many struggles, protestations and trials in the past, Arindell said she is proud of what Linden has achieved.

“I am proud and you should be too, proud of our accomplishments and even our failures, which would [have] taught us some hard and valuable lessons and celebrated them equally.”

Bringing greetings were Deputy Mayor of Georgetown Akeem Peter and Mayor of New Amsterdam Winifred Haywood. The opening ceremony commenced with a military procession and guard of honour. Several cultural items also kept the crowd entertained. Following the ceremony was a mayor’s ball and award ceremony. In the morning hours, a LTW church service was held, which saw several churches collaborating and praying for Linden’s success and development.

LTW is being celebrated under the theme, “Celebrating Culture, Talent, Creativity, in a clean, green 2018 ”.

Almost 60 events will be held during the 10-day span. There will be several parties, fairs, sporting activities, luncheons for the elderly, the big, bold and beautiful pageant, tours around Linden and Region 10, concerts and educational activities, thus meeting the needs of everyone. The Linden Trade and Exhibition Fair will also be held during this 10-day period.