HGP Nightly News – Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed is urging Lindeners to protest peacefully outside Watuka House on Tuesday during Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s visit, declaring that it is time for Region 10 to send the government a message that “enough is enough.”
In a public address, Mohamed called on residents to attend the August 4 demonstration with relatives, friends and neighbours.
He said the protest should remain peaceful while pressing the government on democratic representation, flooding, political accountability and the MV Barima tragedy.
Mohamed invoked past remarks attributed to Jagdeo suggesting that political leaders should be met with protests wherever they travel.
The Opposition Leader said residents should now apply that standard when the Vice President arrives in Linden.
He accused the PPP/C government of treating Region 10 unfairly and failing to respect the political choices of its residents.
Central to his criticism was the continued absence of an elected Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman nearly a year after the elections.
Mohamed alleged that the Regional Executive Officer had not convened the statutory meeting needed to complete the selection process.
The regional administration and Ministry of Local Government have not publicly responded to that claim or explained what has delayed the meeting.
Mohamed also criticised the government’s handling of flooding in Kwakwani and communities along the Demerara River.
He said residents required stronger drainage, more effective emergency intervention and long-term protection for their homes and livelihoods.
The Opposition Leader also referred to allegations involving senior government officials but did not provide supporting evidence during the address.
He renewed demands for the removal of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar, the minister with responsibility for MARAD, over the MV Barima disaster.
Neither minister has been found responsible for the tragedy.
A five-member international Commission of Inquiry has begun work to examine the ferry’s maintenance, seaworthiness, loading, passenger records, regulatory oversight and search-and-recovery response.
Mohamed said Tuesday’s protest would bring the concerns together under a broader demand for respect, accountability and democratic representation.
“The power has always belonged to the people,” he said.
He appealed to Linden’s long history of political activism, describing the town as a community that has consistently defended its rights.
No response to the protest call had been issued by Jagdeo or the government at the time of Mohamed’s address.
The demonstration is expected to coincide with the Vice President’s engagement at Watuka House.
