APNU to table motion to reverse power hike in Linden

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said before the hike in electricity tariff in Linden becomes reality, an effective programme for improving the economic conditions of the people of Region 10 must be undertaken by the government.
The pronouncement by the coalition comes in wake of plans to table a motion in Parliament to reverse the increase in tariff hike.

APNU parliamentary representatives of Region 10 are now drafting a motion to counteract the impending hike, which is scheduled for July 1. According to APNU Parliamentarian Renis Morian, “Our proposal is a simple one where the electrical distribution company in Linden spoke to the government concerning energy saving bulbs.”
Results of a pilot project in Linden revealed that there was a significant reduction in electricity consumption in the bauxite community where 10,000 of the bulbs were distributed. Distribution of energy saving bulbs, coupled with a conservation programme, would see a reduction in the cost of footing Linden’s electricity bill by the government, Morian said.
“The effect of the motion is to draw not only the attention of the government, but the public… to the issues that are necessary. The motion itself would indicate the action that is required to implement those elements,” APNU executive member Lance Carburry said in defence of the motion. While the APNU has not completed the motion, or was able to say when it will be presented in Parliament, Carburry was confident that the government will respect the motion which is going to be a majority motion.
“We the residents do not want to pay; the reality is that we cannot afford to pay,” Region 10 APNU parliamentarian Vanessa Kissoon said of the electricity hike at an APNU press conference on Tuesday.
Any decision pertaining to an increase in electricity charges has to be dealt with against the backdrop of the Constitution and the economic reality facing the people of Linden, Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon contended.  The region is plagued with high levels of unemployment, Morian said, pointing out that the figure stands at around 50 per cent. The July 1 change in the rates of electricity charges will ensure further and additional burden on the people of Region 10, Solomon added.
He said what is needed in the region is the creation of jobs. Since 1994, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration has been promising to make Linden an industrial region, but the community that is heavily dependent on bauxite is still to see the materialisation of this promise.
“The people of Linden desire an enabling environment that would allow and facilitate the creation of employment. The promise by President Ramotar on the campaign trail to increase and to create thousands of jobs is still to be materialised, and Region 10 still expects him to deliver,” said Solomon.
The regional administration has been pushing conservation in the region, and Solomon said there is a programme that is being pushed by the power distribution company in Linden.
In the meantime, the region is preparing an indigenous development plan through a consultative process with the people. When completed, a dossier will be submitted to the government and opposition parliamentarians for their support to make the plan possible. According to Solomon, the plan will contain proposals for electricity reforms that will address wastage.  The plan is also expected to address unemployment in the region and how to improve it, while developing the economy of the region.