In a statement yesterday, it noted the peaceful end to the blockade of the MacKenzie-Wismar Bridge in Linden, which was closed for more than two weeks by residents protesting inadequate power and water supplies in the town.

The main Opposition party said the initiative by residents of Linden to "voluntarily free up the bridge" was clearly in keeping with their earlier commitment to do so after there were improvements in the water and electricity situation.

It said this confirms that the protest action was merely an effort to ensure urgent and effective government intervention to address the plight of the community and not part of any malicious scheme to disrupt the flow of traffic across the bridge.

"We continue to support the legitimate use of mass action by ordinary Guyanese citizens to bring attention to, and get redress for, the desperate social and economic conditions in a system of governance that is too often unresponsive, unprincipled and insensitive," the party added.

According to the PNCR, it was not insensitive to the hardship that many businesses unfortunately faced during the blockade of the bridge.

"We hope that now that all concerned are aware of the severe problems faced by the people of Linden, such a situation would not repeat itself in the future, and the people of Linden can have their basic needs justifiably and promptly addressed," it said.