ADDRESSING residents of Kato, Region 8, at the community’s flag-raising ceremony in commemoration of the country’s 43rd Republic Anniversary on   February 22, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, issued a call for unity and for persons to work across the political divide to hasten Guyana’s development.

Also present at the event was Region 8 Chairman Mark Crawford and Regional Executive Officer, Ronald Harsawack.
Minister Sukhai reminded residents of how Guyana gained independence which was followed by republican status.
The minister said that it was only following the post-colonial period, when a few allowed their own self-centred interests to take precedence over the country’s interest, was the development goal of the country hampered and to some extent reversed.
Calling on the nation and the leaders to remember the country’s motto of “One people, One Nation, One Destiny”, Minister Sukhai said that Guyana remains in a challenging situation, and in aspiring to change this and move upwards, leaders must understand that  it takes dedication, partnership and individual effort.
Minister Sukhai appealed to leaders to stand true to their commitments given to their constituents of working towards nation-building, “At the political level, we hear leaders calling for unity, shared governance, and inclusiveness, but when the actions are needed to cement all of these calls, we see a different picture”.
Minister Sukhai said that as Guyana celebrates another Republic Anniversary, the time is opportune for leaders to stop giving lip service about unity, and to instead stay true to the call of unity for development.
Harsawack and Crawford expressed similar sentiments of striving together to build the community, region and country.
Harsawack echoed the called for  residents of Region 8 and Guyana to let the principles of unity that formed early struggles guide them today, and cautioned about allowing elements to divide the region and country.
“Do not sit idly by and allow elements to come into our midst and cause strife, division and destruction . We must strive together to build our community, region and country,” he said.
“Indeed, we know that in politics sometimes we go down some serious roads; but at the end of the day, it is important that we understand that we have one common goal as a country, and it is important that we together strive toward this goal,” the Regional Chairman asserted.
In neighbouring village, Kurukubaru, a simple flag-raising ceremony was held on February 21. Minister Sukhai was also present at this ceremony, and in brief remarks,  expressed gratitude to villagers for their part in continuing Guyana’s development.