In order for Region Ten to become economically viable, residents have to become creators of wealth.
This is the view of the Linden Regional Citizen’s Authority for Economic and Social Advancement, the group responsible for the recent blockade of the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge.
The group, whose Chairman is Jonathan Adams, held a press briefing yesterday at the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) building.
The Linbridge Committee, as the group is more popularly known, is endeavouring to change the mindset of Linden residents from that of being job seekers to being wealth creators. Adams said the community did not have to be a depressed one.
When asked about the bridge protest’s effects on residents, the point was made that the suffering of a few people for a number of days could not compare with the many months of hardship endured by the wider community.
The group is proposing that at least 100 acres of land be made available to each resident so that they can make a living from it. Talks with President Bharrat Jagdeo have resulted in the acceleration of the land distribution, Adams said. It is the group’s hope that this process of distribution would be decentralised.
According to Adams, the group will be following up on proposals made by Jagdeo on his recent visits.
Adams indicated that the group had met with the Regional Democratic Council of Region Ten, Omai Gold Mines Limited, the Guyana Water Incorporated and the Linden Economic Advance-ment Programme (LEAP).
Adams said that LEAP was willing to make credit available to persons intent on starting businesses.
Another meeting with GWI is planned for Friday to review the water situation.
Adams stressed that at no time did the committee state that it did not need the Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) and the RDC as organisations in the region.
He indicated too that Jagdeo had given the group oversight responsibility over the M&TC and the RDC.
Other members in the group are Ray Anderson, Public Relations Officer; Lulu Scotland, Deputy Chairman; Fabeia Bowen, Secretary, and Treasurer Yvonne Drakes.
The group, which is seeking recognition as an NGO, said that the protest actions have led to the dust problem on the interior road being addressed, the Linden Hospital receiving drugs, and citizens being involved in decision making.