Speaking at a lively campaign rally on Wednesday night, Azruddin Mohamed, leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, promised to jumpstart the economy of Region 10 by establishing an aluminium plant and a glass manufacturing factory. These projects aim to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in Linden, a region long economically and socially marginalized under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government.
For decades, Linden and the wider Region 10 have endured economic neglect under successive People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administrations. Despite being a critical hub for Guyana’s bauxite industry, the region has seen little reinvestment or meaningful development, with infrastructure deteriorating and unemployment remaining high.
Essential services such as healthcare and education have suffered from underfunding, while local industries have stagnated. Many residents feel marginalized as wealth generated from Region 10’s natural resources has largely benefited other parts of the country, fueling frustration and calls for greater equity and empowerment.
Adding to this discontent is the destruction of the bauxite workers’ $2.5 billion pension plan, which left many retirees and former workers financially vulnerable and deepened economic hardship in the community.
“Our young people need meaningful employment opportunities,” Mohamed told a packed crowd in Linden. “That’s why we are committed to setting up an aluminium plant here — to add value to the region’s abundant bauxite resources.”
Mohamed sharply criticized the PPP government, accusing it of stifling development in the area. He pledged that under a WIN administration, bauxite mining in Linden would not just be an export commodity but would support local aluminium production, with Guyanese shareholders benefiting directly.
Alumina—the refined product of bauxite used to make aluminium metal—was once processed locally at a plant built by the Demerara Bauxite Company in 1961 but was shuttered in 1981 during the global economic downturn, resulting in job loss.
In addition to the aluminium plant, Mohamed unveiled plans to build a glass factory that would utilize Guyana’s plentiful silica sand, currently exported to the Dominican Republic for glassmaking. “This will keep money circulating here in Region 10 and empower our people,” he said.
His campaign promises also include:
- A cash grant larger than recent government payouts, scheduled for Christmas.
- Redistribution of lands between Linden and Rockstone to prioritize housing for local residents.
- Establishment of a University of Guyana campus in Linden.
- Upgrading the Linden Hospital Complex with improved staffing and resources.
- Creation of a development bank to support small and medium-sized enterprises.
Addressing concerns over public safety, Mohamed vowed to hold police accountable after recent violent incidents in the region. “Too many lives have been lost. We will ensure law enforcement acts with integrity,” he said. Additionally, he pledged a strong anti-corruption stance, promising recovered funds would support pensioners and social programs.
While Mohamed faces U.S. sanctions over alleged tax evasion on gold exports, and is before the local court on tax evasion, his campaign remains focused on addressing long standing economic neglect and delivering tangible development to Linden/Region 10 and other parts of Guyana.
