| Head of State Donald Ramotar last night announced, during an eight-minute address to the nation, that the method used to increase electricity tariffs in Linden will be re-examined.“I am willing to examine all options. I will establish a technical team to review all available and practicable options and attendant implications, financial and otherwise, to move the process along. But I emphasise that we cannot make progress in an environment of strife and disruption.”President Donald RamotarThe President reiterated his position on the ongoing tension and the difficulty it presents.“I remain deeply concerned about the ongoing unrest in the mining town. Already, the blockading of major arteries in the area has disrupted life in the communities, led to loss for businesses, threatened the provision of critical social and utility services such as health,Bill Lee Red Sox Jersey, water and electricity, and led to an escalation of food and transport costs for Lindeners and interior communities beyond. If this continues it will do irreparable harm to the opportunities for investments aimed at creating more jobs and improving the living standards for the Linden community and Region 10 as a whole.”“Any protraction or escalation of tensions will compound these difficulties. This is not in the best interest of the people of Linden or of the country. I restate that at no time was there any intention to impose hardships on the people of Linden,” he added.Ramotar’s statement came after days of intense discussions with various stakeholders, which he also mentioned in his address.“I have met daily with a number of stakeholders ranging from political, business and regional administration representatives to try to bring an end to the problem. I have met with the Chamber of Commerce of Linden,Pedro Martinez Red Sox Jersey, the opposition political parties and the Private Sector Commission. Over the weekend there have been several meetings of note. On Saturday, I invited and briefed the diplomatic corps and the international development agencies. On Sunday, I met the Leader of the Opposition and the Private Sector Commission. On Monday, I met again with the Regional Chairman, Mr. Sharma Solomon and his delegation. These engagements with a wide spectrum of stakeholders including the people of Linden will be ongoing.”“This electricity issue is not a new one but it had reached the stage where our country could no longer sustain the high subsidy being provided. We had committed towards a gradual and selective process of electricity tariff adjustments which would have seen a phasing in that would have cushioned the impact on the most vulnerable and encourage conservation of energy,” he explained.The President called for an immediate return to normalcy even as he has indicated that his Government is willing to meet with relatives of the three persons who lost their lives during the protest on July 18, and offer assistance in terms of autopsies and burials.He also restated that a commission of inquiry,Chicago Cubs Jerseys, with an international component, would be held into that day’s events.Earlier yesterday, the President and a Government team met Region Ten officials and members of the opposition political parties for talks aimed at finding a common position on the Linden issue.Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Sharma Solomon,Ben Zobrist Cubs Jersey, and Geographic Region Ten Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon, joined a delegation from A Partnership for National Unity (A.P.N.U) and the Alliance for Change (A.F.C) in discussion with thePresident Donald Ramotar and a Government team in talks with Chairman of Region Ten Sharma Solomon and officials from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) (GINA Photo).President, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds,Ron Santo Cubs Jersey, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn and Presidential Adviser on Governance Gail Teixeira.Another meeting is scheduled for today at the Office of the President.Solomon, speaking to sections of the media after the meeting,Jeff Samardzija White Sox Jersey, said “the people are prepared to dig in as deep as they have to until they are satisfied that demands are met”. He, however, condemned those persons who conducted unlawful acts.The Private Sector Commission (PSC) had also joined in the call for peace and for good sense to prevail.The decision to increase the electricity tariff in Linden is at the centre of the discrepancy and following the loss of lives during a faceoff between police and protestors, the President has ordered a Commission of Inquiry to examine the circumstances.Government and the opposition party APNU, agreed to draft the Terms of Reference for the Commission to be concluded not later than August 2. |
