Bartica is being made a model economy while the 2012 Agreement for Linden is being ignored

Dear Editor, I note with interest and at the same time grave concern, the efforts by the APNU+AFC government to forge ahead in making one of the most recent towns, Bartica, a model economy through its ‘green’ focus, while continuing to ignore the legitimately binding 2012 Agreement between central government and Region 10 Regional Democratic Council. Let me state for the record, there is no objection to the principle and programme for developing Bartica; there is objection to what evidently are acts of exclusion and contempt for laws and agreements.

The talk by this government about a “good life”, national unity and social cohesion must be buttressed by corresponding actions. The continual ignoring of a blueprint, where Region 10 could have been a model for local democratic organs with economic independence, must not be countenanced by the society. If we could have held the PPP/C government accountable for implementing the agreement, including the then opposition APNU and AFC, we must too hold this government accountable for doing likewise.

Region 10 has within it a town named Linden, and also the capacity to be a part of the green development. I do not want to think at this stage, that the government’s focus and achievement of financing for the economic thrust of Bartica is because under its leadership this community was made a town (2016), and according to President Granger it should have happened before given an 1887 Ordinance that so proclaimed it. As the President remembers the history of 1887, he fails to remember the history of 2012.

At the same time government actions give rise to speculation that Linden/ Region 10 is being stifled because the town is named after Forbes Burnham and the agreement was signed by Sharma Solomon, whom Congress Place sees as persona non grata. This agreement is not being realised because it was signed by the PPP/C Donald Ramotar government; it is not being realised because of the absence of interest in implementing it given the stated and the selective contempt for laws and agreements.

Government can find international funding to develop Bartica Township but refuses to even think about finding the resources to establish the Economic Committee in order that it can develop the Economic Plan for Linden/Region 10 as mandated in the agreement. History shall be unkind to any government which uses state power, granted to it by the people, to settle personal scores. The administration needs to be reminded if it were not for Region 10, which showed the country’s highest percentage voter turnout for the APNU+AFC and lowest for the PPP/C, it would not have been in office.

The way you govern and treat people and communities has consequences at the time of elections. The view that many in the government entertain that Region 10 has no option but to vote for them, is not correct because there is also a choice people can make by staying home. These are harsh realities and the government must be told.

This government continues to play a very dangerous game in dividing the people of this country and frustrating its own constituents. Just like the PPP/C, people are being made to feel they have to go on their knees to enjoy what the laws say they are entitled to. Some are of the opinion that they have to remain silent in the presence of inequity and injustice or grumble in private because it is their government. Others see it fitting to brush off or ignore misconduct in order to gain what they can from government. I do not subscribe to any of the views because government is elected by the people and is paid by the people and must govern in the interest of everyone.

The 2012 Agreement should have already been honoured and childish and spiteful politics must be eradicated from our midst. It is anti-national unity, antisocial cohesion, and anti-development. Yours faithfully, Lincoln Lewis