PM Nagamootoo: Guyana on the cusp of wealth
Marching along Ralph Avenue, from left:Barbara Atherly, Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo,
H.E. Rudolph M. Ten-Pow, and Vice President of the Guyana Independence Committee, NY Inc., Rhonda
Binda. Photo by Tangerine Clarke
Expatriates decked out in Guyana fl ag colors during a Unity Concert, at
Preston Court, Brooklyn, to celebrate Guyana’s 53rd Independence Anniversary.
Photo by Tangerine Clarke
Caribbean L BQ ife, June 7–13, 2019 3
By Tangerine Clarke
Prime Minister of Guyana, Moses
Nagamootoo, told expatriates that
Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham,
late presidents — on the night of the
country’s Independence ceremony in
1966, put aside their political differences
and embraced each other, and
urged nationals to see that embrace as
a mandate for unity.
Nagamootoo, who, arrived in Brooklyn,
with wife, Sita, on Sunday, June 2
to celebrate the nation’s 53rd Independence
Anniversary, was the Grand Marshall
of the 4th Annual Guyana Independence
Committee Parade, which
began at the corner of Church and
Utica avenues.
The politician, joined by Ambassador,
Rudolph M. Ten-Pow, and Consul General
to New York, Barbara Atherly, and
accompanied by the Guyana Defence
Force (GDF) unit from Guyana, and
the Seventh Day Adventist Marching
Band, celebrated with Guyanese who
waved Golden Arrowhead flags, along
the parade route, that ended in Preston
Court on Ralph Avenue.
The prime minister then stood for a
march past, by the GDF, before Assemblyman,
Nick Perry, joined, to observe
the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead
flag by Lt. Neil Asregadoo, and singing
of the national anthem.
The politician, who thanked, members
of the diplomatic corp for their
work in the Guyanese community,
reminded the gathering of Guyana’s
dream for freedom, and their fore-parents,
who made sacrifices. “Don’t matter
where you are, you are Guyanese.”
He also thanked Assemblywoman,
Diana C. Richardson, and Assemblyman,
Nick Perry for their contributions
to the Guyanese community, saying,
“We need friends, to move forward, to
build our country on the basis of the
dreams of those who fought for independence.”
“We have one Guyana, one motherland,
our dear land, our great land,
our green land. We are on the cusp of
becoming one of the wealthiest countries
in the world, so we can’t blame
ourselves because we have differences,”
said the politician, adding, “We have
to celebrate the fact that we, at long
last have come out of that dark era of
oppression, and have become a model
country in the world, with a model
democracy. For the first time, we have
six parties coming together to form a
coalition government.”
“Of course we have challenges,” said
Nagamootoo, taking a ‘jab’ at the Opposition,
saying, these challenges are due
to those denied success, to their corrupt
greed, and will make all kinds of
subterfuge, so they can return, and put
their dirty hands on the wealth that is
to come.”
“We must now be satisfied that this
AFC / APNU government, led by President
Granger and I, have brought this
country to the verge of untold wealth
and riches, and we need clean experienced,
honest leadership, to take us
safely into this new paradise, which we
call the oil rich Guyana.”
He asserted that the 5.5 billion barrels
of oil reserves are enough to “spark
the greed of those who had wanted to
take us back to the past.”
He said, Guyana would make a leap
forward, with the continuation of the
AFC / APNU Coalition to make sure the
country’s future is secured.
“My wife and I look forward to celebrating
with you, Guyanese are known
for their hospitality and peaceful nature.
We are a fun-filled people, and we also
want to tell the world that we are a
model people, committed to good relationship,
peace, and friendliness.”
“I bring greetings from the President
of Guyana, the people of Guyana, adding,
Guyanese, we must recommit to
ourselves, to the love of our country,
and to coming back home to made a
contribute.”
“Enjoy your day, happy independence,”
concluded the PM.
Sita Nagamootoo, in turn, emphasized
unity and encouraged Guyanese
to give back to their homeland during
her greeting.
President of the Guyana Independence
Committee, Rickford Burke, during
the parade applauded Guyana as
being the only country in the Caribbean
to have such a parade, and praised
the spirit of the Guyanese people, noting
that he hopes this is a vista into the
country’s newly found wealth industry
of oil and gas.
A Unity Concert packed with talented
Guyanese artistes, took center stage
after the parade and ceremonial presentations.
Lt. Wynette Smartt, lead the Guyana Defence Force squad during a procession
at Preston Court, Brooklyn to celebrate Guyana’s 53rd Independence
Anniversary. Photo by Tangerine Clarke