May 26, 1966, was our Independence Day. Next May 26, Guyana will celebrate our 60th Independence Anniversary. But we remember May 26, 1966, for something else. On that day, Cheddi Jagan showed up, hugged and stood with Forbes Burnham. Cheddi had fought for independence. He deserved to be the one to be raising the Golden Arrowhead for the first time. One could understand the hurt and the temptation to stay away in protest.
Nevertheless, Cheddi showed up because it was not about him; it was about Guyana. No matter what hurtful emotion he may have been experiencing, he disguised his internal feelings and was there by Burnham’s side. There are times that politicians put aside their personal animosity for each other and come together for the sake of their people. Cheddi and Forbes Burnham did this on May 26, 1966. They stood together for Guyana. And the Guyanese people were proud not only because Guyana became independent but also to watch their leaders standing as ONE.
President Irfaan Ali has made the transformation of Georgetown into a modern, iconic Caribbean city a priority for his second term. The plan outlines 15 landmark demonstration projects that will focus on “green” infrastructure, climate resilience, and the celebration of cultural heritage. The transformation will go beyond the reclaiming of the title of the “Garden City” of the Caribbean. The plan is to make Georgetown the most modern city in the Caribbean, one that is also eco-friendly, with a dazzling biodiversity, and one which is the cultural capital of the Caribbean. It is a huge undertaking.
Anyone who opposes the vision is an obstructionist. There are rare times when we need to put aside our political differences and unite behind certain national goals. The transformation of Georgetown is not merely for the citizens of Georgetown; it is for all Guyana. Our capital city is national pride. For too long, Georgetown has been a national disgrace. Hopefully, all Guyanese can come together under the leadership of President Irfaan Ali for us to jointly transform Georgetown.
This is a project that transcends our narrow political prejudices. The transformation of Georgetown must be a project that unites our people, unites our political parties and all groups. Outside of national pride, Georgetown is the home of people of all ethnic groups, people with different political affiliations, and people with very different affiliations. The transformation is for all of them. But Georgetown is where many also come to work, to shop, for entertainment and for business. In short, the transformation of Georgetown will benefit each and every one of us.
As part of his ambitious transformative plan to rescue Georgetown, President Irfaan Ali has identified Tiger Bay to become the first “modern neighbourhood” in Georgetown under the newly launched Neighbourhood Love programme, an initiative of the broader Rescue Georgetown Program. This is a major reset for a community long stigmatised. Work has already started. The drainage system is being reconstructed, and the roads are being redone and landscaped. Key initiatives include working with families to monetise their lands, improve housing, develop community facilities, and integrate social services for women and children.
Three plots of land have already been identified to construct a floodlit recreational facility outfitted with football and basketball courts. President Ali said the Government will invest in all the required infrastructure, including trucks and bikes, to help maintain security in the area. According to him, the construction and renovation of buildings, along with plans for craft shops, small business centres, and new restaurants and bars, will create meaningful economic opportunities for residents.
The strategy for the successful transformation in this first Neighbourhood Love programme is to galvanise community solidarity and support for the programme. Already the community spirit and solidarity have become obvious. The land for the recreation area was donated by the owner of Mattai’s Food Market, a well-known supermarket in the area. The owner has since committed to employing more residents from the community.
The School of the Nation will work closely with the community’s children, integrating the already existing schooling and programmes in the community. The Men on Mission (MoM) team has been identified to continue its extensive community support in the area, particularly as it relates to housing and social programmes.
On Sunday, President Irfaan Ali continued the push for community buy-in by visiting the neighbourhood and spending a day interacting with the people. He cooked “gaff”, ate and played dominoes with the residents in Tiger Bay. Other Ministers were there. Government officials and businesspeople were there.
This was a time for unity, for all other political parties to have shown up and shown solidarity, not to support President Irfaan Ali, but to support the people of Tiger Bay. It was disappointing that leaders of other political parties decided to pour pessimism and to accuse the President of trying to fool the people. It was disappointing to see these politicians accusing the President of trying to displace the residents so that he could have the land to give to his rich friends and families. President Ali cannot take away the land from the people. The land is in private ownership. In spite of this disappointing display by the opposition political parties, it is hoped that they will see this as a national project and offer the President their support.
Political parties and politicians will quarrel; they will accuse each other of misdeeds, but they must also learn to work together. The transformation of Tiger Bay and of Georgetown is one of those times or one of those projects that calls for unity and standing as one. It is high time that our politicians show maturity and the ability to stand as one.