Dear Editor
THERE was an interesting article in the Sunday, January 9 edition, captioned, “Region 8 Chairman walks away from the PPP, accuses party of stifling development.” The article further went on to state that he said he didn’t go with it, he went against the instruction of the party (PPP). He said he belongs to the region and he puts the region first.

As a resident who would have spent the entire 65 years of my life living here, have never seen so much development in such a short time. In every sector we are having development, since this government took office. Some massive infrastructural development was done along with development initiatives to create jobs for us.

With that having been said, I cannot agree more with the regional chairman for the bold step he undertook in going against their instructions, ‘that were anti-development’ and put the region first instead of politics. It was also a prudent political decision on his part to walk away from them, as history would show he chose ‘good over evil.’

The accusation of them stifling development is no mistake. It would appear as though this is the modus operandi of the PPP. These sentiments of stifling development were previously echoed by the former regional chairman, from whom Mr Fredericks took over. I can recall on numerous occasions he had cause to accuse them of stymieing development. And on all the occasions he accused them of stymieing development, there was always someone to defend them. I am certain he is feeling vindicated today as their wicked scheme is being unfolded.

This anti-development strategy by the PPP towards the hinterland residents leaves much to be desired as one would wonder, why a political party is against development?
I can recall before this government took office in 2015 the internal Mahdia roads were similar to the roads in a war zone. During the rainy season the residents had to navigate between the potholes to reach their destinations. On one occasion when the residents were fed up with the deplorable condition of the roads, they staged a peaceful protest. The response from the then government was most disturbing to say the least. Instead of them utilising the service of a construction company that was 20 miles away, they sent riot police from over 200 miles away with big guns.

In less than two years since taking office, this government was able to construct the inner Mahdia roads and had it not been for encumbrance of the roadways by some residents, it would have been done in a shorter time. This for me is what I would consider a caring government.

During the former chairman’s tenure when the government was not supporting developmental initiatives by the RDC and was stifling development, they had their activists going around the region telling the residents that they voted for APNU and the AFC in the region and they are not doing anything for them.

In the last election in 2015, this government only won one of the hinterland regions, namely Region Seven. All the roads in this region were in a deplorable state; yet, despite this, government only winning one region, massive infrastructural work was done in all the regions. Apart from the roads in Mahdia, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Lethem and Bartica, they provide numerous communities with potable water and I can go on and on and list the numerous developments that have taken place in the hinterland since this government took office.

From all indications, it does not appear as though the PPP is desirous of having these hinterland regions developed. When they were in government, no major development was done in these regions; most of the revenues that were received by central government came from these regions from gold, diamond, stones, lumber etc; ironically, very little was spent back in the regions for developmental works.

Apart from them not doing any major developmental works in these regions, they never had any developmental initiative nor supported any that would have enhanced the livelihoods of residents, most of whom happen to be Amerindians. My honest opinion is, they want to keep us poor all the time where we have to depend on handouts from them. I am calling on my fellow hinterland residents to wake up and open their eyes, and vote for a party that is bringing development to their communities.

Regards
Adolphus Simom