THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) will be fielding a “100 strong” contingent to participate in the Independence Day Costume and Float Parade on May 26.Under the theme “Empathy”, those revellers will constitute a medium-sized band, and will be decked out in gold, green, and blue with the hope of winning the top prize in the full costume category.

The band was officially launched on Friday, and saw participation by Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and Minister within the MPI, Annette Ferguson.

“We’re going to be 100 strong when we turn out to celebrate on Independence Day,” Minister Ferguson said during the launch. “This Ministry will certainly have its full force out, and is ready to capture that first place spot. We’re confident that after we have given our performance, the judges will be very impressed.”

She said the band’s 100 revellers come from several agencies under the MPI, and she thinks that the experience will provide an avenue for closer relations.

“This is a really great opportunity for MPI workers to not only have fun, but to get to know each other during a celebration that is truly Guyanese,” she opined.
Minister Ferguson also praised the designer, 28-year-old Nelsion Nurse, for his “splendid work”, and thanked the Ministry’s Jubilee Committee for the long hours put into ensuring “that every stitch is in its right place”.

“Empathy” was chosen by the MPI’s Jubilee Committee as the theme to demonstrate the Ministry’s consideration of, and service to, the Guyanese public over the past 50 years.

“The design is very strong, so we’re going to be serious contenders,” Nurse said. He explained that the gold in the costume represents “jubilee”, while the green and blue represent “growth” and “communication” respectively. He hinted that the “King of the Band”, to be revealed on Independence Day, will showcase the services provided by MPI.