In Independence anniversary message...
City Mayor urges push toward sustainable development
Guyana Chronicle
May 26, 2004
CITY Mayor Hamilton Green has urged Guyanese to push towards sustainable development, saying a careful analysis of the country's pre-independence experience is vital if Guyanese are to move forward together.
Mayor Green made the call in an independence anniversary message.
Says the Mayor:
"Today marks 38 years since Guyana won its Independence from our erstwhile colonial masters.
"I am proud to have been associated with the discussions in Lancaster House, London, in 1965, which led to the fixing of the date for Independence. It was a propitious occasion when our country gained its sovereignty and the right to self-determination and to charter its own course to development and prosperity.
"No one would disagree that few ex-colonial territories gained their freedom under more difficult circumstances than Guyana. Recall that within the group of British colonies based on our advanced 1953 constitution, we were expected to gain independence behind India in 1945 and Ghana in 1957.
"However, existing hysteria created by the United States anti-communist group by Senator McCarthy forced H.M. Government to suspend our 1953 Constitution after 180 days, thus expelling the democratically elected PPP Government. This set the stage for internal division and delayed our Independence until 1966.
"However, after 38 years of Independence, it is clear that we must urgently push ahead towards sustainable development. But this cannot be achieved in the absence of a clear national consensual basis for ethnic reconciliation, truth and forgiveness.
"These fundamentals would most assuredly promote nation-building under our national motto: "One People, One Nation, One Destiny."
"The realities of our current circumstances seem to suggest that any project or programme aimed at reconciliation must of necessity contemplate an objective assessment of the legacy of the past, one which continues to profoundly influence the behaviour of our people here in Guyana. A frank and careful analysis of our pre-independence and colonial experience is vital if we are to move forward together.
"I have always contended that from kindergarten to university we should share with the present and each succeeding generation our history, one that highlights the common exploitation of our people from the brutality of slavery to the hardship of indentureship and the colonial system of divide and rule.
"After 38 years of Independence, we appear to be still in need of a cultural emancipation. The culture of a nation is its soul and unless we can really appreciate this in the framework of our multi ethnic, multi-religious situation our social and economic potentials will not be fully realized. This would be unfortunate for Guyana.
"Perhaps, this is the reason why after nearly four decades the City continues to struggle, with actions that are clearly incompatible with good health and progress, including littering, unauthorized building works, unsanitary conditions, indiscipline, low standards, and a general disregard for law and order. Surely, no one should think that Georgetown and the nation as a whole can truly advance to success with these inhibitions.
"Today, every citizen should offer a special prayer for our Nation and pursue the pathway of a moral and spiritual revival that the national polity would be in unity and peace, and that its integrity would rank as the transcending priority among all Guyanese. Happy Independence Day!"