The Chairman, Mr Jonathan Adams said their main objective is to support efforts for Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) to become viable for creating wealth and utilising its natural resources for the economic sustenance of the local population.

He made the statement at the first LRCAEAD press conference held Monday in Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Regent and New Garden Streets, Georgetown hall.

According to Adams, President Bharrat Jagdeo, while at Linden recently, accorded the organisation oversight responsibility for the Mayor and Town Council and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), as the bodies coordinating efforts for advancing the Region’s development.

LRCAEAD was born out of the action taken by Lindeners after the complete collapse of basic social services due to then unavailability of electrical power.

The protesters, among other things, blocked the Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge and caused the shutdown of operations by many companies, including LINMINE and Omai Gold Mines Limited.

Water and electricity became available again after President Jagdeo made several visits to the suffering community and addressed the problems.

Adams said LRCAEAD will be following up on proposals and commitments made by the Head of State and Government on April 15 and 22.

Adams said they would keep residents informed about the socio-economic changes and mobilise them to meet the challenges.

He said, most importantly, LRCAEAD will work towards developing the self- esteem of Lindeners and give them the confidence to develop their community and themselves from within.

Adams said ensuring food security is another priority, because 92 per cent of what is eaten there comes from outside the region and residents became aware of the fact when prices escalated during the weeks of protesting.

He said the majority of the land, with forest and gold, apart from bauxite, is owned and controlled by non-residents and LRCAEAD is proposing, as part of its new vision, that 70 million acres be allocated to the 70,000 population, so that people would be able to make their own living from it.

Adams said the LRCAEAD mission is to change the people from job seekers to wealth creators and enlighten them to the importance of Linden and Region 10 to their personal as well as national and international development.

He said the Linden to Lethem road, which will link Georgetown and Guyana to the rest of South America, has tremendous developmental potential and talks have been initiated with agencies to educate Lindeners about the possibilities.

Adams said Linden does not have to be a depressed community as perceived in some quarters but could be a source of “tremendous wealth”.

He said LRCAEAD has a mandate to coordinate existing citizens committees and inject fresh enthusiasm into community life.

Others on its executive are Ms Myrtelene Scotland, Deputy Chairman; Ms Yvonne Drakes, Treasurer; Ms Fabeia Bowen, Secretary; Ms Lulu Scotland, Organising Secretary and Mr Ray Anderson, Public Relations Officer.