The Head of State briefed representatives of the Linden Mining Enterprise (LINMINE), the Linden Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor and Town Council, the Regional Administration, and other interest groups on the Government's short and medium term initiatives to provide a regular and efficient supply of electricity in the town.

He informed them that two Caterpillar sets which the Administration has undertaken to lease from MACORP in the United States, were placed on a ship yesterday in Miami and are scheduled to reach here within two weeks.

Once here, the sets will supplement the short-term arrangement for power generation in Linden, the President explained.

He pointed out that the two sets will cost the Government some $10M monthly to subsidise power supply to Linden consumers.

President Jagdeo projected that the region will have 7 MW of regular power supply within two to three months, based upon a commitment given by the Omai Gold Mines Limited to set up three 3MW Wartsila units in Linden, as part of their investment in LINMINE.

That project is about to take off as the President has given Omai the green light to proceed with the preliminary groundwork for the establishment of a new electricity station in Linden.

Omai's 70% takeover of LINMINE is set to take effect by this July.

Meanwhile, at the instruction of the President, an additional Caterpillar generator from the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) power station at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, was scheduled to arrive in Linden by 18:00 hrs yesterday.

Responding to queries and concerns expressed by members of the audience at the Watooka Guest House, the President promised affected business people that he will explore the possibilities of having their loan payments rescheduled through the assistance of the Minister of Finance.

He assured Lindeners that the Administration's priority rests in restoring power to Linden in the near future, and said, "It was best to put all the arrangements in place to deal with the situation."

Mr. Jagdeo told the residents that he understands their frustrations and their right to protest, but urged them to do so in a way that does not "disadvantage others."

At the Watooka Guest House, the President was joined by Leader of the main Opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Mr. Robert Corbin, and the two leaders interacted for about 15 minutes on the Linden power situation following the official forum with key stakeholders.

The President then proceeded to the Wismar/Mackenzie bridge where he received a resounding welcome by residents who had been calling for his visit. (The bridge has been blocked by protesters since last week when street demonstrations began after the LPC plant broke down.)

In thanking the President for visiting Linden one resident said, "Mr. President, you are our President, and we believe that God's time is always the right time."

The President allowed several residents to go to the makeshift podium, which was shared by Mr. Corbin, and concerns ranged from the lack of electricity to the general economic problems facing the community.

Another resident proclaimed: "This is not a political, racial or religious struggle. This is a Linden struggle."

With this, the President offered assurances that the Government was doing all in its power to assist the bankrupt LPC in providing electricity to Lindeners.

He expressed his appreciation to the PNC/R Leader for going to Linden and for his constructive approach to dealing with the situation there.

Mr. Jagdeo also made brief visits to the Mackenzie Water Treatment Plant and the Mackenzie Hospital Complex.