Archives for May 26, 2016

… says Guyanese need to work together for true prosperity

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

as Guyana and Guyanese here and abroad celebrate the country’s 50th Anniversary of Independence from British rule, Opposition Leader and former President Bharrat Jagdeo believes that Guyanese need to work together in order for the country to truly prosper.

He was at the time addressing the National Assembly late Tuesday evening. The Opposition Leader took the opportunity to extend Independence greetings to Guyanese, while wishing Government parliamentarians, a year filled with productive service in favour of development in the country.

“We believe that we have to work together regardless of our political affiliation to move our country forward. We too share a vision for this country – a vision that is similar, at least in its ideals, to those and that of the President (David Granger). We’d like to see our country prosper, we’d like our people to progressively have a better life,” he stated.

Jagdeo added that he too envisioned a green economy and national patrimony which could be passed on to future generations. He said that the Party wanted the country’s people to live together in harmony and not be divided by history and by current circumstances.

“We believe that as Guyanese we have more in common than those things that divide us…Regardless of the robust debates that we have; regardless of the numerous encounters we have wherever we go in the streets or on television or in the debates, we are all children of this soil. We all share its history,” he posited.

The former Head of State recalled Guyana’s history and the struggle the country’s fore-parents had to endure in their fight for Independence. He said as the country celebrates its jubilee milestone, persons must take account of the struggles of all of those who fought for freedom.

“Here in Guyana, we must disabuse our minds that somehow the British handed this (freedom) to us. From the very first fight for freedom from slavery and from organised trade union movement to the Political Affairs Committee 1946, when the first sort of political action was brought together in an organised way… and then in 1950 when Burnham and Cheddi Jagan formed the first political party in Guyana – the People’s Progressive Party,” he recounted.

According to Jagdeo, these were all important milestones in the march to freedom and it was progressive policies in 1950 that paved the way for what came after. He went on to say that the PPP and its then leaders started to enact those policies because they wanted to change Guyanese lives for better.

However, he pointed out that this journey was not without struggle as external pressure and interference mounted in the early 60s, mainly because some did not want freedom to be extended to Guyana or they wanted freedom but on their own conditions.

The Opposition Leader noted that those situations have negatively impacted Guyanese as they promoted division among them, something which still lives in the lives of that generation and has even poisoned the minds of this new generation.

“So when we talk about social cohesion today, the primary task, I think, is to go back and remove the (divisiveness) from that period. Yes, we did have (division) from local leaders who might have been used, but the plot was external to divide our people, purely external and we have had to live with the consequences,” he stated.

On this note, Jagdeo outlined that they had to ensure collectively that whatever policies were enacted today, that Guyanese perceive them to be for the entire country. He further remarked that after the Independence celebrations, he hopes the whole year would be spent on achieving the lofty vision of bringing Guyanese together, noting that this was something his party was willing to be part of.

“The PPP and its members will always work in the nation’s interest. Our patriotism must never be questioned. We and our members love this country as much as anyone else do… We will work as hard for this country as anyone else. We are looking forward to 50 years in the future when we can look back at this celebration and say our country have moved forward,” he said.

almost two months after his death, steps are now being taken to find a suitable replacement for the Chief Planning Officer within the Finance Ministry.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan made this disclosure during a news conference on Monday. Clyde

Clyde Roopchand

Roopchand had served as Chief Planning Officer within the Ministry for a number of years before his passing on March 31, 2016, in New York.

Roopchand was born on February 2, 1947, at Friendship, East Coast Demerara, and attended the St Anthony’s RC School in Friendship, before continuing his education at Central High School in Georgetown. He then furthered his studies at the University of Guyana.

From 1967 to 1974, he taught at the St Anthony’s RC School.

After graduating from the University of Guyana in 1975, he secured employment with the Economic Development Ministry as an economist.

Later, as the Chief Planning Officer in the State Planning Secretariat, his job responsibilities included designing, developing and managing the Public Sector Investment Programme, appraisal and monitoring of Public Sector projects and participation in the preparation of the National Budget.

He sat on several boards and was the Chairman of Guyana Revenue Authority.

A 41-year-old man was granted bail in the sum of $1,030,000 when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’

Robert Grant

Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman slapped with a causing death by dangerous driving charge.

Robert Grant pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on May 23, at Garden of Eden Public Road, East Bank Demerara, he drove minibus BSS 5550 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Keith Andrew Simon.

The Police are contending that the 37-year-old farmer was walking along the roadway heading south when he was struck by the minibus and killed.

Grant was represented by Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade, who made an application for the bail to be reduced, pointing out to the court that his client could not afford such a substantial bail. However, the lawyer’s submissions were overruled.

The case will continue on June 10.

…recognises contributions of past presidents, previous administration

Guyana today celebrates its 50th Independence anniversary after centuries of being colonised, and as the country moves on, President David Granger said focus will have to place on ensuring that a sustainable path is paved for future generations.
In his independence address to nation, the Head of State said noted that the country’s foreparents laid the foundation for creating this unique new nation. He stated that Guyanese are paying homage to their ancestors, whose yawn for freedom and rebellion would have empowered them to confront the greatest of adversities and to overcome the most dangerous adversaries.
The President added that the empowerment of the disenfranchised masses through the advocacy of mass-based organisations, the attainment of universal adult suffrage and the achievement of constitutional reforms combined to intensify the demand for self determination and independence. He stated that Guyanese are paying tribute to men and women who were part of this historic and heroic struggle for self determination.
“We can enjoy freedom today because of their consciousness, their courage and their commitment to the cause of freedom,” he stressed as he recalled those martyrs who struggled and made sacrifice that eventuated into national independence.
“Our people’s ardent aspiration and arduous struggle for political independence molded our national identify,” Granger said while adding “Independence infused the qualities of audacity and tenacity in our people. It fortified our determination to be masses of our own destiny. It created new institutions on which to erect the pillars of a new nation.”
Moreover, he pointed out that independence allowed the country to adopt its own symbols of nationhood, which Guyanese are proud of as it boosts national pride among them. According to Granger, independence created the need for new institutions to preserve the country’s achievements, promote the development of the nation and to protect the rights of it’s citizens.
The Head of State went onto recognised the contributions of the past presidents and the previous administration all of whom played a significant part in adding to the country’s development.
“We are proud of our achievements over the past 50 years. We are proud of efforts to deliver our people from dreary loggies, shanties and tenement yards and to open the doors to family homes,” Granger said. He also acknowledged the works of artist, composers, dancers, dramatist, writers, the talents of sportsmen and women, and brilliance of scholars and labours of working people, stating that their contributions too over the past decades will never be forgotten.
Furthermore, President Granger outlined that Guyana has made headways in its development while at the same time facing threats to its territorial integrity over the past 50 years from two of its neighbours. Granger praised the past leaders for their vision to guide and ability to sustain the country over the past 50 years against these adversities.
On this note, the Head of State posited that the Guyana’s Golden Jubilee is an opportunity to strategise and plan ahead in order to fulfill obligations to future generations. “We look ahead to our next 50 years and to the challenge of realising the good life for all of our citizens. Independence is our birth right, independence vested in us the duty to protect our nation and to purse the best interest for all generations,” he remarked.
According to the Head of State, the good life entails the absence of poverty, presence of equity, creation of an enlightened citizenry through education, effective stewardship of natural resources and creation of employment for its people.
“Our mission for next 50 years must be to expand economy to ensure equality, to improve education, to protect the environment and to provide employment for all,” he stated, while adding that Guyana has bountiful resources, both human and natural, to achieve this vision.
Granger said that while the country has made headways in uniting its people, efforts in this vain will continue to be pursued especially in the area of geographic inequalities between the coastland and the hinterland, and urban and rural communities.
“The Hinterland, despite its endowment, remains underdeveloped plagued by poor infrastructure and environmental hazards. The disparities in development and in households between hinterland and coastland must be removed if we are to become a more equal nation,” he stated as he outlined a massive developmental plan for the hinterland region.
Granger reiterated the desire of his Administration to have inclusive governance. He also reiterated his commitment to the green economy initiative, which he said will be the guiding principle for sustainable development, as he mentions plans to capitalise on the country’s resources.
“Guyana’s future is green. A green economy will protect us from the most adverse effects of climate change. It will ensure a clean environment and reduce pollution. It will preserve our valuable biodiversity. It will ensure that all of our energy needs eventually will be met from sustainable sources. It will catalyse investments in eco-tourism,” the President stated.