West Coast Demerara: Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall has urged Guyanese to use the occasion of Independence to reflect and recognise certain truths of their birthright.
He made this call as Guyana’s 47th Independence Anniversary was being observed across the 10 administrative regions with the traditional annual flag-raising ceremonies at the various locations.
He was at the time speaking at the Region three Regional Democratic Council compound at Vreed-en-Hoop where the formal programme organised to celebrate the occasion, included presentations of songs, dances, drumming and folk pieces representing the ethnic diversity of Guyana’s cultural fabric.
Minister Nandlall traced Guyana’s path and purpose towards a free and independent country. He emphasised to the gathering that there was every reason to celebrate, and urged them to reflect on their birthright, “irrespective of our differences and cultures.”
The Minister stated that these latter facts must be made secondary to Guyana’s interest, and urged that it be done dispassionately “as we set our differences aside.”
Students of Malgre Tout Primary school execute dance steps to Adrian Dutchin’s song “I am a Guyanese” as Region Three observes Guyana’s 47th Independence Anniversary
As he reflected on Guyana’s progress, Minister Nandlall explained that even though Independence was gained in 1966, Guyana was still subject to colonial rule and guidance through a British Governor General. It was only in 1970 with the gaining of Republican status that Guyana became truly free of its colonial masters, and it was from there that the road of an independent nation began with the first national elections of 1973.
He emphasised the transformation of Guyanese lives since democracy and freedom were restored to Guyana, and urged citizens to look at the simple basic changes that have occurred in their lives and communities over the past 20 years. Basic changes such as the size of their homes and the amenities available to them; a television in each home; more owners of vehicles and more available social services and a telephone in each home; these simple things would show how freedom has worked on Guyanese lives.
“On occasions like this we must reflect on these things, to ensure that we use our own minds and make conscious and right decisions,” Minister Nandlall urged. He further explained that the mantle has to be passed to the children of today, and so a good country has to be prepared for them. “We have gained a lot…from bankruptcy…to a country of economic viability…we enjoy the fastest and highest growth rate in the entire Caribbean.”
Describing the poor state of several economies around the Caribbean, Minister Nandlall lauded the fact that Guyana enjoyed a constant economic growth of 5% per annum over the past seven years. Pointing to the several projects planned for the further development of Guyana, the Minister acknowledged that there were issues to be resolved before these could move ahead.
“There are times when we must put politics aside…countries are borrowing money to fund their budget, we have the money here, and we are funding the budget so our people can benefit from these mega projects that we are doing. But we have an opposition in parliament who is cutting the funding for these expenditures…how can you justify that?” the Minister questioned.
“…it is when you cut the national budget, that you deny the people of this country of the things that are in that budget…that cannot be good for an independent country; that cannot augur well for the freedom that we want to enjoy,” he stated.
Minister Nandlall insisted that freedom includes the financial and economic freedom which means that the facilities of life must be enjoyed. Pointing to Guyana’s international obligations in conjunction with the various bodies to which Guyana is a member, the Minister outlined the reasons why those obligations must be met.
He also reiterated the necessity for the recently tabled Anti-Money Laundering Amendment Bill to be approved and the difficulties Guyanese will encounter if the country is blacklisted.
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