— People want real progress in exchange for their votes
By Kiana Wilburg
With 73 days left before E-Day, political candidates are making the rounds countrywide to inform citizens about their development plans. Some of them are armed with credible blueprints for progress; others are just serving what most Guyanese would call “long wata curry.” Lindeners, in particular, are not “delulu”. They can tell the difference. In fact, one of its young advocates for betterment, Jermaine Figueira said confidently that residents will be looking for policies that are data-driven, forward-thinking, and capable of delivering tangible outcomes.
Figueira told Guyana Standard that youths are asking critical questions: What will the job market look like in five years? Will we have well paying jobs? Will youths have the opportunity to be owners of homes, lands, and businesses in the economy, or will we remain perpetual renters, potential squatters, and workers?
Figueira acknowledged that the government has made efforts in recent years to empower residents through direct, community based infrastructure contracts. To date, he noted that contracts issued amount to over 1,200 and are valued over $17 billion. “This is unprecedented and significant, and I personally welcome this tangible intervention…,” said Figueira.
He noted however that Lindeners want a developmental agenda that moves beyond the traditional confines of the seasonal spikes in contracts for roads, bridges, and drainage. In essence, Linden’s youth, and the wider community, are looking for programmes of long-lasting upliftment. In this electoral cycle, they want more than just the promise of shiny, new things from the nation’s political sugar daddies.
Lindeners, according to Figueira, want a meaningful relationship with the next office holders of the 2025-2030 period; one that screams “for better, for worse.” These residents, he said, aren’t asking for every man, woman and child to become billionaires; just to be given a real shot at empowerment.
Before sharing his ideas on what such a plan could entail, Figueira said there are a few urgent things that Linden needs. This includes the completion and proper furnishing of state-of-the-art sporting and community facilities, community grounds, and arenas that nurture talent while attracting regional engagement.
“…I have said on numerous occasions that Linden and Region Ten are the talent basket of Guyana, and we hold the potential for Guyana to have Olympic medals and set world records, just as Jamaica and St. Lucia…,” Figueira said.
Still on culture, the parliamentarian said there is a need for increased investment in music, art, theater, and creative expression, all of which have the potential to become viable economic sectors. He advanced that this untapped sector must see the passing of copyright legislation to protect the intellectual property rights of artists, writers, and creators who will present “our Guyaneseness to the world” while earning a living from their craft.
“I am aware of an announcement made by the government for the establishment of a recording studio in Linden which I advanced and articulated for in my budget presentation in 2023, but I haven’t seen movement on this as yet and I hold the view that such a facility could be a significant multi-purpose talent hub of our youth and others interested in this untapped sector,” said the Lindener.
Figueira also underscored the need for critical investments in tourism and manufacturing, along with ensuring people have equitable access to grants, concessional loans, incentives, and skills training opportunities to suit the demands of these sectors. In this regard, he reminded of his pleadings in and out of Parliament for the resuscitation and upgrading of the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) which served as a financing facility.
Figueria also stressed the importance of an industrial estate and perhaps an accompanying duty-free hub. To build a supporting environment around this, he said land ownership will be critical for residents. He noted that Lindeners must be afforded the opportunity to own the lands along the Linden-to-Lethem corridor with a view to empowering them, and not only outsiders. He said they deserve to have access to opportunities to invest in hotels and hospitality facilities, gas stations, and the full range of businesses that are synonymous with an industrial estate environment. “This is how we foster true, sustainable, community-based development,” he said.
For political contenders who will be heading to Linden, almost on a weekly basis now, Figueira warned that residents will not fall for whitewashed plans; they want substance in exchange for their votes. He urged therefore, that they cut the boilerplate commentary and take Lindeners more seriously than ever before. Otherwise, their delusions of victory will be barbecued to a crisp.
