For the residents of the Upper Berbice area of Region 10, showing patriotism is seen as very important and they demonstrated this on the eve of Guyana’s 46th Independence anniversary when they turned out in large numbers, mixed and mingled, hugged and shook hands, and cheered for the speakers at the traditional flag-raising ceremony at the Worrel ground in Kwakwani.
In the days leading up to the Independence celebrations, residents were at loggerheads on a number of issues. These included a few supporting and the majority opposing the installation of an Interim Management Committee for the community as well as loggers and RUSAL/Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI) clashing with regards usage of the company’s crusher plant crossing to transport lumber by trucks from one side of the Berbice River to the other.
There were also issues about the management and modus operandi of the Kwakwani Utility Inc (KUI) and claims of political discrimination with regards to the non-payment of some workers including tractor operators and a clean-up team and security guards attached to a firm employed by the government.
There was even a dispute about the site for the flag- raising ceremony with Independence Square being proposed instead of the Worrel Ground where it was held over the past three years.
Eventually the activity returned to the Worrel Ground but those who favoured Independence Square did not absent themselves from the celebration. “We had the Independence Square cleaned, we nice up the monument and we put up the Guyana flag there and now we here,” said one resident. “There is always a plan B and one that give some level of compromise so everybody can feel at least a bit satisfied and that’s how we got to live man and things gon get better,” the man added.
He said that they have started putting strategies and systems in place to ensure that the celebration returns to its original site next year.
Another resident, Jocelyn Morian, who was supported by several others, said that they will pursue the possibility of a massive celebration next year with a camp fire after the hoisting of the flag, and a community exhibition and fair that would run from midnight into May 26.
PPP\C Member of Parliament, Gail Teixeira delivered the feature address at the celebrations. She recalled Independence Day when the late Presidents LFS Burnham and Cheddi Jagan embraced each other at the lowering of the Union Jack and the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead.
The MP charged residents to put political differences aside and live as one saying that Guyana has recorded noteworthy development over the years. She cited the LCDS and the rainforest partnership with Norway in this regard. Teixeira challenged political parties to work together saying “if we use threats and budget cuts it can’t work.”
Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon was applauded for his focus on issues of direct concern to residents.
He spoke of the need for local government reform and elections. “This independence of which I speak concerns your constitutional right to self governance ….in the form of Neighbourhood Democratic Councils,” he said.
Among others who spoke at the ceremony which was complemented by a rich show of cultural presentations were regional vice chairman Byron Lewis who hails from Kwakwani and Winston Rozario who spoke on the history of Independence.
