President urges in Republic Day address:
Celebrate with pride & passion, do our part to move Guyana forward
Guyana Chronicle
February 23, 2004
WITH weather forecasters anticipating a clear, sunshiny day, Guyanese are expected to converge on the streets of Georgetown and other towns and village centers, undoubtedly buoyed by President Bharrat Jagdeo's call for them to enjoy themselves - but that foremost in their minds this Republic/Mashramani Day must be their determination to move Guyana forward.
A road Mash Queen candidate? - No. Minister Teixeira was just doing her Mash camp rounds on Saturday when Chronicle's Quacy Sampson snapped her trying on this head piece, one of the several to be worn by revellers in the Rayon House of Fashion costume band today.
"Let us celebrate this Republic Anniversary with pride and passion. But let us also pledge to do our part to move Guyana forward so that wealth will be where poverty now stands; peace will replace conflict; trust will consume suspicion; and harmony will unseat discord."
My fellow Guyanese,
It is a time for a joyous celebration in our country. It is an occasion for all Guyanese: for family and friends; the young and the elderly, to join heart and hands as we observe the 34th anniversary of the attainment of Republican status. The banners on our streets will proclaim our aspiration of: UNITY - BEAUTY AND MORE.
On February 23, 1970, the day Guyana became a Republic, our people thought that we had embarked upon a journey to create a society characterized by human freedom, compassion and care, economic prosperity and unity of purpose. Building that society required an accountable constitutional government; periodic verifiable elections; mechanisms that permit rival interests; adherence to the rule of law; sound economic and social policies; and an informed, concerned and participatory citizenry.
Unfortunately, only recently and in appreciable measures have we been putting in place these features that characterize the Republic we dreamt of. We have lost time and missed valuable opportunities. Yet I admit, three decades is a short period for these features to be found in their most advanced manifestations. However, evidence surrounds us that they are taking root and shaping our lives. Ours is the unending task of deepening and perfecting these processes and policies. Today, let us recognize that we have not completed the journey; let us affirm that we will stay the course.
Fellow Guyanese:
I am confident of our positive prospects as a nation, in spite of our internal challenges and the external realities. My confidence and abiding faith in Guyana is born out of conviction and experience that we are an industrious and amiable people. I believe a careful and dispassionate analysis of most of our internal difficulties would reveal their superficial nature and that they are rooted in a past of distrust and mutual suspicion. We must release ourselves from the prisons of the past and forge ahead together.
We have an earnest responsibility to each other and to our country. It must become our duty as citizens to discover and reveal the cords that bind us together as a people. These cords I submit, are intricately and delicately interwoven and strong. Therefore the theme of our Mashramani celebrations must become more than rhythmic sloganeering to which we dance once a year.
In responding to global developments, we cannot sit and merely mope over disadvantageous changes and developments. We must seek to affect the change agenda as well as making the necessary mental and organizational leap in adapting to emerging trends. In order to affect the global agenda, Guyana will continue to work within CARICOM and the other regional and global organizations to which we belong. The Government of Guyana will endeavour to create opportunities. But local companies and their management must make the necessary adjustments in order to render themselves more regionally and globally competitive to make full use of these opportunities.
We have secured in excess of eighty billion dollars from the international community to accelerate national development programmes. These programmes are in harmony with our development agenda and we expect that in addition to their potential to directly create employment they will lay the foundation for expanded economic activity.
My Government continues to invest heavily in the national physical infrastructure as a means of laying the foundation for further economic development. The transport sector - ferries and stellings; roads and bridges; and air transport facilities - is a catalyst for the integration of the country and greater diversification of economic activities. We are investing in housing and water, education and health as the priority social sectors. This is most necessary for improving the quality of life of our people. Various government agencies have undertaken training and retraining programmes to impart life-skills on our citizens while expanding the local entrepreneurial class.
It is well known that the health of a nation is very important. I am concerned about the impact of communicable diseases not only on the health of our people but on our social and economic well-being. We will intensify the fight against communicable diseases particularly malaria, tuberculosis and the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Last year I expressed expectancy at the gesture of the political Opposition to participate in constructive engagements. In the intervening months, the Leader of the People's National Congress Reform and I have had several fruitful meetings. I am a strong advocate of dialogue not only because it is natural to us as Guyanese but also because our reality dictates it. There are some outstanding issues to be resolved and I am sure that we will find a way to overcome difficulties and arrive at acceptable solutions. My commitment to inclusiveness and participatory governance remains unshakable.
Fellow Guyanese:
Some of our people are dissatisfied with the performance of several of our local government bodies. I encourage stakeholders to support the process of early local government elections.
The media in our society have a critical role in nurturing democratic values. I will be the first to rise in defence of freedom of the press, and the record of the People's Progressive Party Civic, in this regard, speaks for itself. However, the freedom of the press is not the right to behave in an irresponsible and malicious manner, besmirching character and destroying reputations. I anticipate that when the broadcast legislation is passed it will hold media houses to internationally accepted standards of professionalism and decency. The legislation will provide for penalties when there are violations of these standards.
We need to continue the battle against corruption and narco-trafficking. My Government is working with the international community to enhance collaboration and to attract more support for this struggle. Just recently, I proposed a bilateral agreement with the United States Government that will fundamentally strengthen anti corruption measures. Drug trafficking besides being illegal is a social scourge and it must be rooted out from our society.
My Fellow Guyanese:
Let us compliment the law enforcement and security forces of our country for their sacrifice and service in ensuring the safety of all our citizens. I am hopeful and expectant that the newly appointed Commissioner of Police will prevail in his determination to reform the Guyana Police Force where necessary; build its morale, and refocus its operations in response to new societal realities.
I wish to salute the men and women who labour in field and factory and offices; our valiant teachers who are preparing the next generation of leaders; and the numerous other Guyanese, who shun publicity, but quietly make a difference in the lives of our citizens - whether by volunteering to help the elderly, or to carry the light of literacy to obscure corners of our land. These are the true champions of the Republic.
Let us celebrate this Republic Anniversary with pride and passion. Let us pledge to do our part to move Guyana forward so that wealth will be where poverty now stands; peace will replace conflict; trust will consume suspicion; and harmony will unseat discord.
Long Live the People of Guyana!
Long Live the Republic of Guyana!