President Ali promises more benefits in store for Lindeners

President Irfaan Ali has assured residents of Linden, Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice (Region
Ten), that all the benefits they enjoy will continue, and will be extended by his government.
Ali’s assurance follows a recent statement made by PNC/R leader Aubrey Norton, informing
Lindeners that the government plans to remove the electricity subsidy from which they benefit.
“There is no differentiation of the people Linden to the people of any other region…We just
came from Linden, an extensive and elaborate consultation where not only did we assure that the
benefits they have will continue, but we extended those benefits,” the President told the media
following an outreach at Parika on Sunday.
Ali stressed that when his government took office almost two years ago, it came with one
agenda, and that was to ensure prosperity for all Guyanese, regardless of their location or
background. “I don’t spend much of my time in negativity. I spend my time building Guyana in a
positive way. The people of Linden can understand and appreciate one thing, this is a
government that embrace them like every Guyanese,” President Ali declared.
The head-of-state urged the people of Linden to beware of instigators and those who seek to
create division. “Mr. Norton can continue this path of propaganda, continue this path of mischief
making, it will bring you nothing. I advise you to embrace the concept of one Guyana and get a
full understanding of reality. This is not Guyana of the past,” he appealed.
Further, the allegations by Norton were also rejected by Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and
Prime Minister, Mark Phillips. Jagdeo noted in a statement that the allegations are false and
baseless.
Prime Minister Phillips explained that an Interim Management Committee was established to
manage the Linden Utility Co-operative Society Limited (LUCSL) following a determination by
the Chief Co-operative Development Officer (CCDO) that it was being mismanaged. As such,
he said that a committee comprising seven Lindeners, was appointed by the CCDO to manage
the society, in accordance with the Cooperative Society Act.