THE vote by Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament (MP) Charandass Persaud to topple the government last Friday has caused unease among government supporters, especially those in Linden.

Linden is the heartland of People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) support as residents there have stuck solidly behind the party, both while in opposition and now in government.
At the last Local Government Elections (LGEs), the governing coalition of which the PNCR is part, gained a landslide victory, winning 13 of the 16 seats in the municipality.
While the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season will last until Sunday, it is evident that the mood of the town has changed. Every house and corner shop have discussions of how odd they feel about Charandass’ ‘yes’ vote. Youths have also stormed social media offering their various opinions on the matter.

Relative to this, the PNCR Region 10 Chapter is confident that Lindeners will again go out in their numbers and vote in favour of the coalition. PNCR Region 10 Chapter Chairman Jermaine Figueira has described Charandass’ actions as disloyal not only to the AFC, but to the coalition.

“It is incredulous that Mr. Persaud would attempt to have us believe that his vote of betrayal resulting in the fall of the coalition government during last Friday’s sitting, was as a result of a sudden awakening of his conscience.

“We believe that his actions were pre-meditated and fully orchestrated as part of the ruthless machinations of the PPP/C, in their desperation to regain political power at all cost ahead of first oil for Guyana, and their insatiable appetite to steal and squander our country’s resources, while denying hard working Guyanese the good life we all deserve.”
With this said, Figueira is calling on the electorate of Region 10 to rally around the party that truly has their interest at heart.

“We wish therefore to call on our supporters across Region 10 and all of Guyana to refuse to be hoodwinked by the cowardly betrayal of Mr. Persaud and his evil sponsors, but remain focused on the transformational agenda we have stated together, to ensure a ‘Good Life For All’.”

It further elaborated that the coalition government has delivered in several significant ways to the residents, all in the effort of improving their standard of living, citing the recent allocation of $155 M to the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN). The missive stated that there will be an aggressive mobilising of youths and stakeholders across the spectrum, in an effort to guarantee maximum support.

While the PNCR may be extremely confident, this publication thought it wise to gather the views of members of the electorate and mixed responses were obtained.

DISAPPOINTED
Young Jason Tappin, who voted for the first time in 2015, believes that many youths were indeed disappointed and frustrated that many things they hoped for were not fulfilled. He specifically noted the long wait for land allocation and job creation. As a result, many youths publicly said that they will not vote again.

“I believe that it is just talks though, because since this thing happen, the very people who say they not voting again, get frighten right away because they don’t want to go back to former years. I think the youths were only using the rhetoric of not voting to frighten the politicians, but more so what happened, they will vote,” he said. Another youth with differing views was Leon Thompson, who said, “I’m very confident with the no-confidence motion that was passed last night, I think we do need a change in government, whatever government is going in, I don’t care who it be; I think their whole perspective should be about the citizens, we should have more after-school programmes for kids, have more programmes for senior citizens and just be about the people, don’t be for the politics, be for the people, I think we need to focus more on the minority,” he said.

Taxi Driver Robert Greene said that he is saddened by the action of the opposition with the well-orchestrated plot, more so, when President Granger is ill. “I wish that this government can continue with all the plans that they have for this country and let this country go forward; I wish this administration would be here to continue to help this nation, this nation needs to rise and anybody else right now want to stifle this nation.” Greene said he does not believe there is need for another election, since there are already plans in place to take the country forward and he will continue to support the coalition government.

SOLID SUPPORT
Speaking on behalf of the business community was President of the Linden Chamber of Commerce Victor Fernandes, who pointed out that Linden always, will give its unwavering support to the coalition. While he praised some of the strides made by the coalition to create economic empowerment in the lives of Lindeners, he believes more emphasis, especially in the 2019 budget should have been placed on job creation in Linden.
“We are talking about direct investment, we are talking about investors that will bring jobs to Linden, we have a service-oriented economy, there is no industry that will generate real income, there is a need for that kind of thing,” he said. He also believes that the budget should have been a little more people-friendly. Fernandes is also cognisant of the many youths who have expressed their frustration about not going back to the polls, but are urging all and sundry to exercise their franchise and vote.

Meanwhile, residents of the community of Andyville made a unanimous decision that the entire community would not be voting ever again for the coalition after three years of promises of regularisation and electricity, but to date, their homes are still in darkness. Chairman of Andyville CDC Michael Greene told this publication, that the residents are tired of running from government official to minister and the situation remains the same. He said that in 2015, the entire community voted for change but that change is yet to be realised in their community.

“Within the three years, we have been going to various persons and after three years we still living in the same situation; it is kind of baffling, people will tend to think twice before voting,” he posited. He said the only real development that occurred in Andyville since 2015, was the installation of stand pipes that should be credited to CEO of GWI, Dr. Van-West Charles.

PROGRESSIVE
Pensioner Martha James said that she is pleased with the workings of the coalition government, because her only means of income is her Old Age Pension and her husband’s NIS pension and she is extremely pleased with the progressive increase since 2015. She said that her road was also done, something she suffered with for years because short-drop cars refused to enter her neighbourhood. She also applauded the works of the regional party for initiating ‘The adopt a grand friend’ initiative from which she has also benefited.
Several Lindeners also believe that the local officials representing the coalition at the local and regional levels should be more proactive in meeting the needs of residents. Residents have time and time again aired their views that the local leaders are responsible for the lack in confidence they have in the government. The latest forum this was brought up was on President Granger’s last visit to Linden during LGE campaigning. Many of the residents who voiced their concerns to the President said their problems are not being addressed by local leaders. President Granger; however, reminded the residents that local decision-making is an inclusive process and the residents too have a role to play in manning their communities.

Following last Friday’s passing of the no-confidence motion against the government, the constitution stipulates that elections must be held within three months or at a time decided upon by 2/3 of the National Assembly. Both President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo have agreed that they need to meet earliest to discuss this very pressing situation.