| Forget differences in favour of nationalism - Attorney General – at Region 3 flag-raising ceremony |  |  |  |
| Monday, 27 May 2013 21:51 |
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.
 Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall: Regional Chairman of Region 3 Julius Faerber and other officials witness the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead in the compound of the Regional Democratic Council of Region 3. The occasion was the annual flag-raising ceremony to mark Guyana’s 47th Independence anniversary 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 he urged them to reflect on their birthright, “irrespective of our differences and cultures.”  Students of Malgre Tout Primary school execute dance steps to Adrian Dutchin’s song, “I am a Guyanese” as Region 3 observes Guyana’s 47th Independence Anniversary 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.” 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. Unfortunately, the Attorney General explained, those elections and the ones that followed were all rigged, as evidence has shown. “Rigging of an election means that that freedom which we fought for since the days of slavery and indentureship…when we won Independence…when we won Republican status, that freedom was taken from us by our  From left to right: Regional Chairman of Region 3 Julius Faerber, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall and Regional Official, Adepmo Peters at the Independence flag raising ceremony in Region 3 Minister Nandlall explained that this meant that Guyanese were kept in subjugation in their own country by their own people, and Guyanese were denied that freedom that they were supposed to enjoy in 1966 and 1970. “We must reflect on our past …we must not shy away from it on occasions like this,” he said, explaining that this is needed if Guyanese wanted what is best for their children. The reason for this he pointed out, is to ensure that those things never happen again in Guyana, “because it comes with consequences which are harmful to all of us…because when you deny a people their freedom, you take away from the human being the initiative, the entrepreneurship; the ability that he has to exercise his mind and to excel.” Minister Nandlall pointed out that economic stagnation was caused by this denial which was imposed on Guyana from 1970 to 1992, and it also exists in countries where this freedom is denied citizens. 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 has 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 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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