PYO takes Amaila protest to APNU H/Q

Jul 26, 2013 News

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By Tiffanne Ramphal

Projecting the outlook that concerns of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project do not only concern those politically inclined were members of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), who turned up in their vast numbers outside Parliament Building yesterday.
The youth-based group staged a spirited picketing exercise to voice their concerns with the Parliamentary Opposition’s stance on the development of the hydro project. The action included a staging in front of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition. However, the group’s members claimed to have been forced to move by “elements emerging from the compound”.

Lining the pavement east of the Parliament building, the youths waved their placards with statements of “Youths need development, not cuts” and “APNU/ AFC trying to steal the future of our youths”, while heartily chanting “We want hydro power, Opposition slowing the progress”.
Romel Roopnarine, member of the National Steering Committee/ Public Affairs Officer of the PYO, described the active protest as joining the chorus of Guyana’s citizens in coming forward in support of the project. He said that the group has always been supportive of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, and as such, they are concerned about the message that the Opposition has been sending.
“The first issue that they raised was the issue of corruption and transparency in this project. Suddenly, that position has been shifted to the feasibility of the project”, Roopnarine said.
He said that it is their strong belief that the Opposition “jumping from one position to the next” is really an attempt to stall the positive developments of the hydro project.
Roopnarine pointed out that the circumstances are not new, since the Opposition had opposed other “transformational” projects in the past.
“Of course they have an excuse for every initiative. Every single project they have opposed, and that sends a message.”
By means of the protest, the youths hoped to signal to the Opposition as well as to the Government that they are in full support of efforts to realise the AFHP since “it stands to benefit all Guyanese, particularly youths”.
Roopnarine called to mind increased employment that would be brought about for youths, as well as cheaper energy that is projected to be provided once the project pulls through.
“We want to ensure that the youths here and our children are bequeathed with a future that is deserving of them.”
While the group had indicated that their collective decision to voice their concerns were independent, a statement issued by Opposition alliance, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), pointed towards a diverse start.
According to the statement, APNU had been informed that workers from Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five) were bullied and coerced into travelling to Georgetown to picket in front of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and Parliament Buildings.
The statement said that workers from the Region had called into the Office to complain that they are being forced to travel to Georgetown to protest.
“They said they were told that they have to go and protest against the Opposition because they voted against the Hydro.”
Further, Leader of the Opposition, David Granger, expressed that he believes that the protestors do not know what they are protesting for. He explained that in contrast to what the group views as the Opposition’s stance on the project, they have opposed the proposed Bill to raise the debt ceiling and not the hydro project itself.
He added that he understands that some chose to come because they were being released from work and were provided with transportation.
Additionally, APNU’s Shadow Minister of Local Government, Ronald Bulkan agreed with the Opposition Leader when he noted that the protestors do not have a full understanding and appreciation of what it is that they are so vocally demanding.
“This project is mired in controversy. And if it comes to fruition in its current form, it will be an albatross around the necks of Guyanese people, and it is those very young people who will be saddled with the responsibility of repaying that debt. It will be a millstone around their necks.”

“It will be over $2.2 Billion for a project that should cost one-quarter for the size and capacity,” the Shadow Minister pointed out.
He also made reference to a letter written by Alliance For Change (AFC) Vice Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo, in which it was stated that the per capita national debt now stands at $50,000. He said that the analogy was made that for every baby born now, they are faced with an IOU, owing the state $50,000.
“We are actually mortgaging the future of our young people through a misguided project that is mired in controversy. That project needs to go back to the drawing board.”
The Shadow Minister expressed his regret that “young people are being misguided” and that their time should have been spent more productively rather than to be used by politicians to narrow and selfish ends.

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