Skip to main content

FM
Former Member

says Region so far ‘a case of broken promises’

Robert Badal
Robert Badal
 

With a young Linden sports personality as the party’s latest public endorser, Change Guyana presidential candidate Robert Badal yesterday promised Lindeners to follow suit and support him as if elected he will ensure that equal developmental focus is placed in the region.

 “We went to Linden last week and we were deeply disturbed,” Badal said of observations of his party to the mining town’s current state during a visit.

“When we talked to residents, we couldn’t find any development in the areas of roads, employment… there was virtually no development at all in that period. It is a case of broken promises and that has been the case all across rural Guyana,” he added.

So shocked were they at what was seen and heard, that Badal said he has begun a comparative analysis of the 2015 manifestos of both the PPP/C and APNU+AFC coalition.

“None of the manifestos had plans that would significantly benefit the people of Region Ten directly and yet they go for launches and things like that. I can tell you that they will come again with the same appeal to Lindeners but with no plan for their development.”

“The difference here is that we are formulating a special economic plan for the region because we have a vision for it to be a special economic zone, which  we would create based on setting up wood processing and value added, setting up training facilities… and bringing investors,” he added.

Yesterday, Linden sports personality and national rugby player, Ryan Dey, endorsed the party at a second press conference held for this week at Badal’s Pegasus Hotel.

 “All my life I have only known two leaders in our political history. And what have they done? In my view, neither is better… As a Lindener you have failed us, as a sportsman you have failed us, in leadership as youth you have failed us. Where are your policies for development? Looking at Linden, I think to myself, what has happened to our beautiful town? With all the promises not delivered, it is time to change, it is time I change, it is time for Change Guyana,” he said.

Badal said that a plan for Linden is needed and policy plans need to be clearly outlined in parties’ manifestos, which voters will be able to see when Change Guyana has their manifesto launch next month.

A national sawmill, a state-of-the-art furniture factory, moving transport of lumber from being towed on heavy duty trucks that destroy the Linden Access Highway and switching to transport by water with the building of a wharf, setting up a technical institution focussed on developing human resource capacity for all industrial sectors, establishing a university and instituting a US$5 per tonne royalty on bauxite mined in the region, are some of the party’s plans.

The Change Guyana presidential candidate lamented the current deal this country has with the Russian owned bauxite company RUSAL saying that it has “bled this country.”

“Rusal got more than US$500 million in concessions and what did we get in return for it? Nothing,” Change Guyana executive Sasenarine Seenarine added.

Badal lamented that even as companies continue to take lumber from the area, paltry tangible benefits are had by Region Ten’s residents.

“The logs are leaving in large quantities and there is no benefit to the people of linden. The royalties are collected and sent to Georgetown. Trucks are on that highway breaking up the road and in another few years we won’t have a highway. We have to make some structural changes that is amenable to all parties. You must have private sector investment to create a wharf and industrial-type loading facility to avoid the road so that the lumber could come by water and barges.”

“All the benefits of value-added are going overseas. We must have an economic zone. Lindeners can have small but thriving small business and a Change Guyana government will provide the technical support. We will engage people to create a wood factory and the stakeholders will be Lindeners. They have no concessions. All they are getting now is a truck that would stop by a restaurant or a bar and buy a drink or a meal and we are pushing for local content? We need our youths studying and working. We need radical change in the way we think about development. And out thinking will see this plan extrapolates to all other areas of development and there will be poverty alleviation.” he added.

That radical change, he said, will be seen when monies from forestry or any other industrial business are made as a Change Guyana government will ensure that a percentage is set aside for the direct development of the region. This formula, he said, will also be used for other regions. “Look, I want a royalty of US$5 dollars a tonne from bauxite. Just in principle, because we have to work it out with the companies and so on.  We saw bauxite export at 1.5 million tonnes and all we get is US$1.5 million. What is that? The money we bring in will go to infrastructure and training programmes, vocational training so that Lindeners have the engineering skills, machining and fabrication. The youths will be engaged actively in higher paying jobs. The people must see direct benefits,” he emphasised

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Good plan Badal. The question is whether the people of linden will listen to him. Linden voters cast their votes based on race. 
PNC use blacks in Linden for their votes in the same way Democrats use African American votes. They do little or nothing to improve the lives of blacks. 
Badal is correct, Linden is like a Shyte hole under PNC. 

FM
Last edited by Former Member

This Badal guy is very controversial businessman/ politician , he joint AFC in 2011, serve as GPL chairman under APNU/ AFC... now he’s criticizing the manifesto of APNU / AFC. 

FM
Last edited by Former Member

How credible is GPL’s Chairman Robert Badal?

0

“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Matthew 7:2

Chairman of GPL, coalition financier Robert Badal, has accused former President and Leader of the Opposition, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, of having an “irresponsible, deceitful nature”.

He was alluding to Dr Jagdeo’s contention that GPL has accumulated the sum of an estimated $20 billion “… because they (GPL) did not lower the price of electricity when the price of fuel fell on the world market” (proportionate to the drop of fuel prices).”

Dr Jagdeo asserted at a recent Press Conference that “… They (GPL) have collected from ordinary citizens, and our businessmen, some $20B more than they should have collected in two years from us, and it is sitting in an account at GPL.” ‘Some’ being the operative word, because the figure Dr Jagdeo quoted was estimated from various factors.

Mr Badal’s denouement of Dr Jagdeo’s averment begs the question of why did he not correct Dr Jagdeo by supplying the actual figure, given the fact of his admission that “… GPL has achieved a significant improvement in its financial position.” So then why disdainfully dismiss our expectations of accountability by not providing us with the real figure? Give us the true sum, Mr Chairman.

It is quite interesting that GPL’s Chairman saw it necessary to debunk the Opposition Leader’s claim, while notably remaining silent on a number of other GPL-related issues.

Mr Chairman, please tell us when will this promised improvement in the delivery of reliable electricity to households and businesses be effected? We are tired of the blackouts, the power interruptions and the voltage fluctuations: Why are you silent on the issue of the award of a tender to a contractor for more than $1B above the lowest bid received? Remember you promised good governance, transparency and accountability: Why are you not forthcoming on the actual acquisition costs of electricity to the national grid from the proposed “Hope Wind Farm Project”? Does this make good business sense? Do you have a view, or are you making accommodation for another political investor to get a windfall?

Sir, if you are to retain any credibility you must inform the public of the acquisition cost of fuel today, as compared to prior prices; and the actual cost of generating electricity today; as well as the reason rates have not been adjusted accordingly, subsequent to the last rebate.

Please publicly declare the amount of money being deposited, on a monthly basis, to the ‘Foregone Revenue Account’ of GPL.

Hope to hear from you, Mr. Chairman; your credibility is on the line. The customers of GPL await your response.

Yours truly,
Bishop J Edghill PPP/C MP

FM
Dave posted:
Amral posted:

Ok ganda egg then

Ok, I will ask my uncle ( after I finish school) what is Ganda egg, he did mentioned about throwing some kind of eggs at teachers. 

 

Bai Ghanda eggs is what Berbicians stocked up for Moses and Ramjattan. It does smell nice when it breaks open. It goes through the nose and smells like a rose.

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Sean posted:
Dave posted:
Amral posted:

Ok ganda egg then

Ok, I will ask my uncle ( after I finish school) what is Ganda egg, he did mentioned about throwing some kind of eggs at teachers. 

 

Bai Ghanda eggs is what Berbicians stocked up for Moses and Ramjattan. It does smell nice when it breaks open. It goes through the nose and smells like a rose.

Me know me know, just making fun of Fake Vish. 
I gat one tray of Ganda egg to throw at he rass. 


 

FM
Dave posted:
Sean posted:
Dave posted:
Amral posted:

Ok ganda egg then

Ok, I will ask my uncle ( after I finish school) what is Ganda egg, he did mentioned about throwing some kind of eggs at teachers. 

 

Bai Ghanda eggs is what Berbicians stocked up for Moses and Ramjattan. It does smell nice when it breaks open. It goes through the nose and smells like a rose.

Me know me know, just making fun of Fake Vish. 
I gat one tray of Ganda egg to throw at he rass. 


 

Fake Indo Vish rass so stupid, he going to say: Gimme mo, gimme mo.

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Prashad posted:

This Badal smart bad.  He should team up with Irfan.

If he Rass so care about Lindeners, he should have invest his own money with a furniture factory ... 

But you right, he smart.. if Badal gets elected and built the furniture factory, is not his money will go up in flames 🔥😁

FM

 

 

 

The citizens of Guyana can put on their funeral garments and continue the slow march to the burial of the country. You see, hear and read the undertakers, everyday. The newspaper, television and social media bares their testimony.

The question begged to be asked, "Is there a solution to this dilemma." For the decades that is gone, the answer is clear as dayclean, "No, there is none and the rhetoric, the talk that is around is no different, just plain and simply empty promises."

When there are or there is no solution, perhaps even the most ridiculous of a solution is plausible.

The political system that exists from the time of the independence movement never catered to citizens having a say of the leadership of the country. The Political Party tells you the name of its Presidential Candidate. As in the past, voting goes along the ethnicity lines.

This time around, encouragement to publicly choose a political movement where citizens have full participation. You choose your Presidential Candidate, in the public. No secret ballots, no intimidation and no fear. And hopefully this new approach will engage every citizen in the process of choosing the President for election.

Linden is an excellent choice for the endorsement of this New Political Movement. It is a leap of fate. And Linden can give it the wings so that Guyana can soar to great heights.

Together, the wind of change will be beneath the wings that Linden gives unto this Peoples Movement.

With Linden's endorsement, the Peoples Movement will move to the other enclave on the Corentyne. There, never ceasing in conversations to move hearts and souls for a better life.

Life gives us moments. This is a great moment for Guyana, but it seeks your trust for our differences is not outright prejudices, it is distrust.

Lindeners are a people of great courage. The history of this country has the imprint of the emancipated African, fore-parents to the present generation of men, women and children of the town.

Historians have documented for us.

In 1838, just a mere four years after emancipation, the East Indian was brought here, to British Guiana. On plantations in the counties of Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo they were designated,  working for those who had no mercy for bonded labor, the life of an indentured.

It is said, "one can never teach an old dog new tricks."

And once again, the planters had another group of individuals to brutalized, poor diet and the whip. Remoteness of those plantations could not have concealed their brutality. There were eyes to see. No sooner the British Abolitionist were aware. It was the African who made them aware of the agonies of the Indentured East Indian. The emancipated African saw the sufferings of a fellow human being. It is doubtful he saw the race. 

The life of an indentured servant is bondage. This was not a new scheme. Centuries before the Indentured East Indian came to British Guiana, impoverished English, Welsh, Irish and Scots indentured themselves to the colonies. Gladstone was very much aware of this labor force. Some to escape the law, some to escape poverty and hunger, some to escape famine. Such men and women were made to work like beasts of burden without any compassion. Death did move his master or overseer. Such was the fate of the Indentured East Indian of 1838. Upon his arrival, his master cared less about his well being. Death did not move his master nor his overseer. Whatever labor was exacted out of him, was a benefit to the planters. If death comes from abuse, that, also was a benefit to the planters, for the return passage was saved.

Historians have documented for us the atrocities burdened upon the indentured East Indian. African nurses tended their backs, the opened flesh from the whip of their task master. Lame from infections and neglect. Malnourished. And no re-course but to escape and returned back in leg-irons.

Witnessed by the African, men and women, they recounted it all to the British Abolitionist. Mentioned also, was the vindictiveness of a plantation manager upon one of the witnesses at the hearings. All of his animals were killed and forced to move away from his home. The price he paid for the compassion of another human-being.

Our school books should make known that part of history, because it must be the corner stone for race relations in Guyana-an understanding between Indo and Afro Guyanese.

We do not know the way God moves the hearts and minds of the people of His nations. In Guyana's case, one would think we have reached the end of the road and the citizens would have the change of hearts. So said, but not easily done. In Nigerian churches, it is said,"God can make the impossible possible, ending in Jesus name, followed by Hallelujah."

With all the uproar about dual citizenship, always dual citizens making a case for a better leadership of Guyana.

It takes a few dedicated people to change a nation.

If attention is paid then noticed, many countries with natural resources, the people are poor. Please do not let this happen to your fellow countrymen, Change Guyana. 

The people of Linden must walk this land for peacefulness. For blessed are the peacemakers for they shall inherit the land. We know that this land of our fore-fathers is rich with timber, gold, diamond and oil.

Change the curse of resources.

Stamp out corruption.

This election is about who is entrusted with your wealth, the country's wealth .

Before re-naming to Linden, it was Wismar. In this place, tragedies occurred. Indians who came for a better life in Wismar, met with strife encouraged by the political elites of the bygone era. It is remembered by some as the "Wismar Massacre". Then, there was the "Sun Chapman Incident", unsuspecting passengers on a launch going about their business were blown up.

There were Disturbances in Villages but the tragedy of Wismar are not easily forgotten.

Wismar was the place to be, lucrative paying jobs attracted those willing to relocate. People were doing great and life was good. Then, hardships fell upon the town, the mines downsized due to political decisions.

Since, Linden struggles to recover to its past lucrative days. All sorts of plans devised and discussed to re-vitalized the town. All appears to have failed. There were riots and lives were lost.

The history is there, wealth, good standard of living, political activism, political persuasion, ethnic cleansing, death of your own and the death of strangers in your midst, then impoverishment.

No other community experienced as Linden. All of that can be turned into a progressive.

These days, if a change is sought then it must be through a political party. A much better move would be to have a whole community involved in political change. And Linden has the dynamism for such a movement for change.

In return, Linden will be a Parallel Parliament for the country and its economy revitalized with sustainable businesses and sustainable employment. Every effort will be made to develop Linden as a model of progress for all other Guyanese communities. It is the nations priority to show the way by government and private business partnership. We can be in each other dreams of the future.

I know there were efforts to revitalize the community purely from an ethnic perspective. Maybe it could work but there is assured progress if we work together.

This is the moment for Guyana.

 

S

Historians have documented for us.

In 1838, just a mere four years after emancipation, the  East Indian was brought here, to British Guiana. On plantations in the counties of Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo they were designated,  working for those who had no mercy for bonded labor, the life of an indentured.

http://timehritoday.blogspot.c...-start-part-one.html

Seige ,is this your blog ?

Django
Nehru posted:

Did this FOOL checked out the plight of the unemployed Sugar workers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Logically he is not required to address the sugar workers in his strategy to build capacity elsewhere as Linden where it is needed and where it is needed. In fact he did mention sugar workers in another speech commenting that sugar is not feasible. I do not agree with that but the point is, a furniture factory at linden is a feasible idea.

FM
Sean posted:

Good plan Badal. The question is whether the people of linden will listen to him. Linden voters cast their votes based on race. 
PNC use blacks in Linden for their votes in the same way Democrats use African American votes. They do little or nothing to improve the lives of blacks. 
Badal is correct, Linden is like a Shyte hole under PNC. 

Tain and Port Morant also cast their votes based on race but where in the cost of tea in china is that relevant here?

And do you realize that all the significant changes across the lives of black people came from democrats?  And what does the failings ( if it was actually true) of democrats here have to do with the universal failings of indians and african politicians at home? Surely the lack of capacity at linden existed all through the PPP tenure!

FM
Prashad posted:

Where will they export the furniture to.  China already corner the furniture market.

Local market is a start. Kissoon has always been viable. China buys wood ( or rather steals wood) from us. 

FM
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

He should go to Kissoon's and see how primitive their machinery and technology is before going about making empty promises to get votes. 

CNC machines for wood working are not prohibitive. I am astounded that you fall prey to being doubtful of capacity building here when you should know better. 

And for empty promises...Romatar was supposed to put 50k people to work. He had to have linden as a part of his fairy tale to be  believably. 

FM

I think Linden would be a good place to revive Guyana light ship building industry!

Also Linden would be the place to make water treatment chemicals for domestic and export.  They can negotiate a good deal for residual sulphur bi-product from Exxon and they have all the Bauxite you ever need!

Baseman

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×