Friends of H.E. Brigadier David A. Granger

pulled out all the stops yesterday ,

with a grand celebration in honour of

The President’s 70th birth anniversary.

Having just returned from his trip to Addis Ababa, Africa,

the Head of State took a few moments to enjoy his special day

and mingle with over 400 guests,

who turned up at the event held at Base Camp Ayanganna,

the Guyana Defence Force Headquarters on Thomas Lands.

The President was especially pleased

to receive his birthday gift, a 40-seater school boat,

complete with a 200 horsepower engine,

a shed and life jackets to transport children who live in the

Pomeroon.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally,

explained that this is one of the key areas

that caught the President’s attention

during his travels around the country.

As it is,

one child has to spend a total of $5000 per week

to travel to school from Pomeroon to Charity.

The boat was donated by members of the business community

and a group of friends of the President.

It will be handed over to the residents of that area before the commencement of the new school term.

In his remarks, the Head of State said that for him,

celebrating his birthday is more of a thanksgiving

rather than expensive gifts;

he simply asked that people consider donating

things like speed-boats to transport students

in hinterland and riverine areas to school.

“This is a very practical gift,

so hold the frankincense and hold the myrrh,

let’s have the school boats instead…

so that every Guyanese child can get to school,”

the President said.

Speaking of his role as President of Guyana,

the retired army brigadier said,

“I have been trained for this position,

I don’t say this immodestly;

I came into this compound as platoon commander

and I am back here as Commander-in-Chief,

but as you heard,

it took me 50 years to travel that distance.”

He spoke of the six-party coalition Administration

which he leads and which, he said,

remains committed to national unity,

inclusionary democracy,

and giving every single Guyanese,

regardless of race, religion or place of origin,

a good life.

Humorously admitting that that he is happy

to be Guyana’s latest septuagenarian,

the President shared some fond recollections

from his earlier years and of his family whose support,

he said, has made his journey easier.

Notwithstanding the celebratory tone of the event,

the President had some strong words for Venezuela.

He said, “Let me make this clear when I use these remarks,

because sometimes things don’t translate well into Spanish.

Decree 1787 is like a fish bone in my throat,

I’m not calling people fishes now

and I would like to thank my colleagues

in the Caribbean Community for helping to remove that bone.

It has been replaced by a smaller bone,

but a bone nevertheless…

it is worse than a nuisance;

it is hindering the development of our beautiful country.”

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, in his congratulatory remarks,

said that, at age 70,

President Granger has taken up the mantle

as the exemplar of a disciplinarian and a leader,

and has what it takes to take Guyana forward.

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Norman McLean

and Mr. Roy Blackman, a close friend of the President

and coordinator of the event, also spoke at the event,

reminiscing on their years in military service.