With more than 600 known Venezuelan migrants settling in different communities across Linden, officials of the mining town are sounding the alarm over the strain that the migrants are placing on the community and they are demanding Government’s intervention.

Following the public appeals by the Mayor of Linden, Sharma Solomon and other officials, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd, traveled to the community and met directly with the Venezuelan migrants, while ignoring regional and municipal leaders.

In a statement this morning, the Mayor of Linden said it is disappointing that during Minister’s visit to Linden, he chose to meet only with members of his party and the Venezuelan migrants, and did not bother to engage with the local elected officials and community leaders, who have been raising the issue as an urgent one.

“Our town has been on the front lines of addressing the concerns surrounding the migrant situation, and the voices of our residents who have legitimate questions and concerns have been overlooked by the Ministry for too long”, Solomon said.

The Mayor recalled that since last year, the people of Linden have warning the Government of the issue with the migrants and there has been no system put in place to address the matter.

Solomon said while the leadership of the town welcomes any effort to support and assist those in need, it is crucial that all parties, including the Ministry, take into account the local context and the challenges facing the town with the migrants.

He said the lack of engagement with local officials and residents further alienates the very people whose lives are being directly impacted by these decisions.

“We hope that, the Ministry’s response, by having the Minister come himself, is not just a show to appease the international community, while reducing the legitimate concerns of Guyanese. The way government chooses to handle this issue, will say how much confidence the community should have in any information being released”, Solomon said.

The Mayor called on the Foreign Minister and his Government to take immediate steps to open dialogue with the leaders of Linden and Region 10 to ensure that all perspectives are heard, and not just those that align with a political agenda.

He said the town’s priority remains the safety, well-being, and cohesion of the community.

There are reports that many of the migrants have been observed building concrete structures in areas that the Government had removed Linden squatters from to make way for development initiatives.

Opposition Member of Parliament for Region 10, Jermaine Figueira in a statement today also lashed out at the Foreign Minister for visiting the town and meeting only with the migrants while ignoring local leaders.

MP Figueira said the Minister’s visit failed to involve local leadership for a comprehensive and bipartisan approach that is an imperative when addressing such sensitive matters as the migrant situation. He said the lack of engagement is not only disrespectful, but raises doubts about the seriousness the Minister has attached to the issue.

The Government remains very tightlipped on the issue.

Related posts:

Walton-Desir raises questions about Government’s planned integration of Venezuelan migrants Linden Town Council rejects appointment of PPP activist as new Town Clerk Opposition sounds alarm over growing number of undocumented Venezuelan migrants and Government’s “relaxed” posture Linden Town Council will not be a lazy one -promises new Mayor Sharma Solomon