–promises ‘up to 2000 jobs’ in quest to transform it into viable economic zone

HAILING Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) the most resourceful of the country’s ten administrative regions, Change Guyana has set its sights particularly on the area’s politically controversial seat of administration, Linden, in its quest to transform the once thriving bauxite community into a viable economic zone.

The Party gave as its reason for making such a bold statement the region’s strategic location, as well as its being uniquely blessed with an abundance of resources, both natural and otherwise, such as bauxite and other minerals, timber, and agricultural land.
Projects already in the pipeline to make their vision a reality were shared with residents who turned up at a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday evening at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre.

It was there that the Party’s candidates painstakingly explained to residents that with so many resources at its fingertips, Region Ten ought not to be lacking in basic infrastructure and social services as it is, and that neither should thousands of youths be on the bread line. Nor should the economy be as stagnated as it presently is. They outlined that their plan is to create an economic zone in Linden, so as to add value to the many resources that are leaving the town, since they believe that neither the people nor the community are adequately benefiting from them.

Presidential Candidate Robert Badal has promised that if given a chance to govern, his Party will create up to 2000 jobs through various economic projects in the township. Their first plan of action, Badal said, is to construct a port facility in Linden, by way of private-public partnership, so as to allow lumber to be shipped and royalty collected, rather than be transported by road as presently obtains. He argues that by so doing, they will be saving the Soesdyke-Linden Highway from further deterioration, as it is the overladen lumber trucks that have caused it to be in the state of disrepair it is presently in.

The Party also plans to charge $5U.S a tonne for bauxite, which will garner up to US$7M, which monies will be used to fund infrastructural and social projects. “The people that take our resources have to pay an economic value,” the city businessman said, adding: “We can’t have all the value overseas, and we remain destitute. And that has been the failure of our leaders, in insisting that we get the economic price for our resources.”

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
He’s also promised that significant support will be given to the agriculture sector through the establishment of an agricultural development bank, where farmers and entrepreneurs will be given soft loans to purchase equipment etc. The project, it was explained, will no doubt pattern the already government-funded Linden Enterprise Network (LEN), whereby agricultural loans are easily accessible to farmers and all entrepreneurs all across Region Ten.

The presidential candidate also spoke of expanding agriculture into the region’s intermediate savannahs, where a farm-to- market road is presently being built, thus making accessibility to markets easier for over 100 farmers. Farmlands are also being distributed to new and established farmers in the region.
“We need a fundamental change in the ways things are being done,” Badal said, adding: “It starts with us; we have to demand what is good for ourselves and our family. The time has come when Lindeners have to believe that the change is possible, and they have to trust others… The best way to demand what you want is that vote.”

DEEP-WATER HARBOUR
Another top candidate in the party, Nigel Hinds, also called on Lindeners to shun the polarised voting attitude and choose those with policies and not mere promises on how their community will be developed. He, too, mentioned the development of a deep-water harbour as well as other projects that will transform Linden into an economic zone where jobs in particular will be created for residents.

Hinds warned residents that seeing that the previous administrations did not deliver on their many promises, they should not allow themselves to fall for the same blarney again. “What we have in Region Ten,” he said, “is a plunder of our resources that is benefiting other regions and other countries. This will change drastically if Change Guyana is given the chance at the upcoming elections.”

While the party is not optimistic about being at the helm of the government, it is hoping to at least cop seven seats in Parliament to make the necessary representation. “We believe that if we get some resistance, we will get a traction, and people will recognise that Change Guyana is trying to bring the people together; to move you away from the 80-20 voting pattern, and to focus on what is in the best interest in Linden,” Hinds said.

Imploring Lindeners to give the party a chance were Linden candidates Marvin Grey and Ryan Dey, who both said they are frustrated with the way the town has been run for the last couple of years and are disappointed in the leaders who claim to have the people’s interest at heart. They both believe that Linden has the potential to become a capital town, and are confident that Change Guyana has the formula to make this transformation work.