APNU backs Plaisance protests; Urges investigation into situation

[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Opposition coalition – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) – has expressed solidarity with the people of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, who were yesterday involved in rousing protest action.

The Party in a statement today, clarified that “the villagers are currently protesting the take-over of Ancestral Lands by the Government of Guyana and the imposition of a Village Overseer.”

To this end, APNU called for an independent investigation into all Ancestral Lands so that villagers are not disadvantaged. APNU is also calling for a halt to any threat of expropriation even as it reiterates its call for local government elections.

Reports are that Local Government Minister, Norman Whittaker is seeking to forcefully remove the current overseer at the Plaisance/Industry Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) and install a man who residents say is a former prison warden.

When the alleged former prison warden visited the community yesterday afternoon (October, 01) he was greeted by angry residents who were chanting “get out of Plaisance jailbird” and even prevented him from entering the compound of the Plaisance/Industry NDC.

The residents say they remain resolute and will not allow the current People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration to impose its way on them and to threaten the livelihood of the current overseer, Debra McDonald, who has being acting in the capacity for the past 15 years, much to the satisfaction of the residents.

An Interim Management Committee (IMC) was installed a few years ago by Government and according to the residents, the IMC members were installed without any consultation and as such they view the IMC as illegal.

Elections Manager for A Partnership for National Unity’s East Coast Demerara, Shawn Austin said McDonald is the person that should remain as overseer of the community since she has the qualification and experience to manage an NDC.