Jagdeo concerned that Govt will eventually Balkanise Guyana

Besides bringing economic hardship to a significant portion of the population, the implementation of the Linden road tolls could trigger a dangerous movement that has the potential to disintegrate the entire country.

This is according to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who explained that Guyana could eventually become Balkanised if Government continues to implement policies that are tantamount to discriminatory practices, which bear the power to divide the nation. In this regard, he is urging the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Administration to be pragmatic and reconsider its approval of the road tolls, as well as to reconsider its decision to implement the regional flags initiative – another measure perceived to encourage individualism and has the potential to divide the country.
“I am very concerned about Linden and what’s happening with the tolls… we are in a process of Balkanising Guyana. Because what if Corriverton now, which has a main road – you have to pass Corriverton to go into Suriname – what if Corriverton is to say now that vehicles passing through there will now have to pay a toll, the Government can’t say no because it has allowed Linden to do it.” “What if another municipality does it? Then we could have what I was always worried about when they have all these different flags, its disintegration of this county. And it is very, very dangerous and I hope that the Government will reconsider it,” he explained, during a recent news conference at the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Headquarters, Freedom House on Robb Street.

Null and void
Furthermore, former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall asserted that the by-laws which impose the toll charges “are discriminatory and inconsistent with Article 149 and therefore, are null and void by virtue of Article 8 of the Constitution”.
He explained that Article 149 of the Constitution provides that ““no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect”; and that “no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any person acting by virtue of any written law or in the performance of the functions of any public office or any public authority.”
Nandlall highlighted also that Article 8 of the Constitution provides that, “this Constitution is the supreme law of Guyana and, if any other law is inconsistent with it, that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void”.
Against this backdrop, the politician expressed utter bewilderment that such “elementary legal mistakes” would survive the scrutiny of a Cabinet comprising of more than four lawyers. “I have advised the Leader of the Opposition to hire a full-time lawyer for his office. A successful lawsuit can be filed against this Government every week,” he exclaimed.

Tolls
Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan approved the payment of 18 different categories of tolls to be paid to the Linden Town Council (LTC) for the use of its roads.
The by-laws state that every vehicle specified in the schedule shall stop at a paying point at the toll station and the owner or person in charge of the vehicle shall pay in the full corresponding toll for the vehicle to the toll collector in local currency.
The Council, subject to the approval of the Minister, was vested with the powers to amend the schedule to add or remove categories of vehicles to be included. The tolls to be charged under the by-laws will not exclude persons living in Linden, though there is accommodation.
The gazetted by-laws state that the affected vehicles that are registered in the name of a person living in Linden shall pay a toll determined by the Council twice a year in January and July. Vehicles which had been identified to attract a toll, but are transporting essential supplies for the Government, shall be exempted by the Council from the payment of each toll upon notification and certification by the Regional Democratic Council of the vehicle to the Council.
Meanwhile, offences for the refusal of the payment of tolls have been created under the by-laws for breach of the payment of tolls and also makes provision for the detention of the vehicle of a delinquent road user.
According to the by-laws, in addition to the penalties imposed for refusing to pay, “the toll collector, in the event that a toll demanded is not honoured, may impound the vehicle and release the vehicle after the sum has been paid in full.”
Additionally, the toll collector or the designated officer may release information to the Council or Town Constabulary on any vehicle in respect of number plate, colour, make, type or model, or in respect of any person passing through the toll station and the information shall be confidential, according to the by-laws.
Reports indicate that the municipality will cash in on approximately $3 million monthly from the payment of these tolls.