IN ADDITION to the $300M already budgeted for Guyana’s 50th Golden Jubilee celebration this year, a marginal $2.5M was approved for Region Four (Demerara/ Mahaioca), for the celebrations by the Committee of Supply in the House on Wednesday evening. Quizzed by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) on what was allocated directly for this event, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan made the disclosure. He told the MPs that the $2.5M will be extracted from an approved $6M for all national and other events in Region Four.
On January 29, 2016, during his 2016 budget presentation, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan revealed that $300M has been budgeted for Guyana’s Jubilee celebrations. This is in addition to other smaller allocations through other ministries which will be playing an integral role in the planned activities.
Among these ministries are Tourism and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, the former pushing an agenda to attract tourists during this time, and the latter erecting totem poles as part of the cultural enhancement.
Launched on December 31, 2015, Guyana’s Golden Jubilee celebration will host several cultural and social activities geared towards pushing national unity; an ideal Guyana has struggled to achieve in its 50 years since gaining independence.
Minister within the Ministry of Education with responsibility for culture, Nicolette Henry had stated the Government will fashion events, memorabilia and merchandise to reflect the spirit of Guyana which is hoped, will resonate within people’s minds now and years to come. “We will create public and private sector partnerships critical for uniting the country. We will work together to create legacy projects in education, heritage, infrastructure, culture, academic symposia, literature and the arts that will in themselves act as meaningful economic stimulants. And certainly we will energise our youths as the generation responsible for taking Guyana forward” the Minister has said. (Ravin Singh)