PUBLIC Service Minister Dr Jennifer Westford on Monday night issued a call for national unity and political stability, a press release from Three Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Information Department said.

The release said the Minister made the call during her address at the Region’s flag-raising ceremony to usher in the nation’s 43 Independence Anniversary.

Dr Westford said, “The stark reality is that although we have achieved social and infrastructural progress, the two main pillars—political stability and national unity—have eluded us.”

She added that political stability is vital for the continued success of Guyana’s foreign investment drive, and emphasised that inculcating a culture of brotherly and sisterly love can be the catalyst to achieving a vision of national unity.

Dr Westford noted that Guyanese have a lot to be proud of and cautioned against complacency which could cause gains to be dissipated.

She noted that the PPP/C administration has over the years implemented policies and programmes which have transformed the lives of Guyanese in a positive way.

Reflecting on the struggles for Independence, the minister said, “Independence did not just happen…it was not handed to us on a platter by our colonial masters…rather Guyanese men and women had to endure abuse and harassment in their fight to achieve self-government.”

Dr Westford said that Guyanese are mature enough and said that all political parties should put Guyana first and work with each other to solidify the gains and enhance the future development of the modern Guyana.

According to the release, Regional Chairman Julius Faerber noted that significant progress has been made at the regional level in various sectors. He outlined the education and health sectors, where enormous amounts of monies were spent, as benefiting many.

Faerber also cautioned residents against putting up illegal structures on reserves, squatting, vending on the roadside and dumping of garbage in waterways.