Opposition boycotts Independence Flag Raising ceremoy while acknowledging need for more unity in Guyana
Minister with responsibility for Culture, Nicolette Henry, confirmed that all of the Opposition Members of Parliament were invited to the official event and accommodation was made for them in the VIP stand, where the President and other dignitaries were seated.
Guyana’s Opposition Members of Parliament stayed away from the 51st Independence Anniversary flag raising ceremony, leaving their front row VIP seats empty.
Last year, the Opposition had complained about improper seating arrangements and walked out of the Golden Jubilee festivities. Last evening as Guyana crossed into its 51st year as an independent nation, they simply did not show up.
Minister with responsibility for Culture, Nicolette Henry, confirmed that all of the Opposition Members of Parliament were invited to the official event and accommodation was made for them in the VIP stand, where the President and other dignitaries were seated.
“I feel it was a great activity this evening and all the people that wanted to be here were here and I believe that Guyana is moving forward,” Henry told News Source.
While the PPP Parliamentarians stayed away from the event, the party released its independence message and pointed out that as a nation, “we must celebrate and salute the sacrifices and struggles of our leaders and fore-bearers, who toiled indomitably to win, firstly, internal self-government and ultimately, political independence, from our colonial masters after centuries of brutal slavery, servitude and exploitation by foreign forces.”
The Opposition party said it has done some self-examination “and wishes to acknowledge that although we have implemented transformative changes in Guyana during our tenure in office we have to persevere even more, to bring greater ethnic, religious and class unity among our people; we have to toil even harder, to bring greater economic and social prosperity to this land and we have to dedicate even more energies, to improve our system of government, strengthen our democratic institutions and enhance the rights and freedoms of our people, if we are to realize the aspirations and goals of our independence architects.”
It offers best wishes to the nation.
