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Legal Affairs Minister calls on Guyanese - reflect on country’s achievements as 42nd Republic anniversary observed

Georgetown, GINA, February 23, 2012
Source - GINA

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Anil Nandlall and regional officials look on as the Golden Arrow Head is being hoisted

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Anil Nandlall while addressing those gathered at the Region Six Flag raising ceremony held last night at State House in New Amsterdam in commemoration of the country’s 42nd Republic Anniversary urged that they reflect on how far Guyana has come as a country and on the achie vements.

Minister Nandlall said it is important on an occasion like this that the country takes stock of its achievements. When Guyana became a Republic it marked the official severance from colonial rule as the country removed the last vestige of colonialism achieving full and complete sovereignty.

He said that it is his considered view that the country has made remarkable progress as a country from 1970 to present on all fronts and this is what the country must celebrate on this Republic day. The Guyanese celebration must not all be about the ‘sport’ but must be a celebration in recognition of the strides made such as achievement of political democracy.
He said that politically we are now living in a democracy that allows for elections to be held in a free, fair and transparent manner and also allows for people to have the freedom to elect the representatives of their choice.

" We also now live in a country where the rules of law prevail and where our constitution is the supreme law of the land recognizing and guaranteeing the rights of people," Minister Nandlall added.

Guyanese can now also boast that as a sovereign nation they today enjoy good relations with all countries of the world,

The Tutorial Academy Secondary School Steel Orchestra entertains the gathering

“We have no known enemies,” he told the gathering, and added that Guyana has been able to amicably resolve border issues with Venezuela and Suriname and as well maintain excellent relations with Brazil and the Caricom region even as its forms alliances as part of groups such as the United Nations (UN) and the Commonwealth.

“As a sovereign country we have an image out there that we can be proud of,” he said.
"Guyanese must also take the Republic celebrations to reflect on how fortunate we are to live in a country of such beauty," Minister Nandlall said as he called on all Guyanese to take a moment to appreciate the everlasting beauty that surrounds them.

Extolling the country’s many wonders; he said that these assets have proven to have economic gains for the country as well.

Guyana is also economically strong.

“We have a sound economic base here … We have macro economic stability, we have a stable dollar, we have controlled interest rate, we have got controlled inflation rate,” the Minister told the gathering. He also said that the Guyanese economy is strong comparatively with the region's and with the exception of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana perhaps has the strongest and most buoyant economy in the English speaking Caribbean.

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, Members of Parliament and regional and local officials at the flag raising ceremony

“We are a nation of six people with different cultures and we have been able to co-exist, our constitution guarantees the people of this country religious tolerance and religious freedom, cultural freedom …to express your culture and your heritage,” the Legal Affairs Minister said.

Guyana is fortunate to have all its people living together maintaining their diversity, uniqueness and culture and heritage but merging that and using this diversity and culture to create one national culture of Guyana, he said.
Speaking specially of the progress in Berbice from Republic Day 1970 to Republic Day 2012, Minister Nandlall highlighted advancements such as the Berbice Campus, the Berbice Bridge, the soon to be realised Berbice highway that will link Brazil to New Amsterdam and the current oil exploration taking place offshore of Berbice.

He told Berbicians that Government remains committed towards this continued advancement across all sectors to ensure that the welfare of the country and the people of Guyana is advanced. This remains Government's main priority, the Minister said and in this regard he added, Government is committed to working with the opposition parties in the Parliament fairly and feverishly to ensure that the national agenda of nation building is advanced.

Attendees at the Region 6 Flag Raising Ceremony for 42nd the Republic Anniversary

We stand committed to ensure that happens but government will not be held at ransom by any political party but will go to the negotiation table to negotiate fairly and to negotiate to achieve this singular result, he continued.
Region Six, Chairman, Permaul Armogan also spoke of the need to reflect on what has been achieved and to build on these.

Armogan said that optimism lies in the fact that Guyana's policy of economic openness and private sector driven expansion is now attracting new attention as its natural resources are a matter of great interest.

He expressed hope that the country’s economic venture such as the CGX oil exploration in Berbice will see the realization of the production of oil in commercial quality. He said that if this is indeed realized then the country is geared towards greater heights.

In addition to the hoisting of the flag and military parade the event was commemorated with a series of dramatic pieces including tassa drumming and dancing from the various groups within the region.

GOD BLESS GUYANA. OUR BELOVED COUNTRY NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD BUT YOU AINT SEE NOTHING YET.

LET PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY RINGS. GUYANA GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE MOUNTAIN TOP.!!!