THE Georgetown City Council in their Independence Day message is calling on Guyanese, as they celebrate, to also “let the hard work, commitment and dedicated service of those who have gone before, inspire us to work together to advance Guyana, so that it would be a better society for all regardless of race, religious persuasion or political affiliation.”In bidding a “Hearty Independence Day to all Guyanese at home and in the Diaspora,” the M&CC said, “Let us resolve to work together in unity, harmony and love so that together we can charter a new course. May we strive to achieve the ideal of our moto ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’.”

The message continued: “Fifty years ago, we celebrated the culmination of our struggles against colonialism with the independence of our country. It has been 50 years since our people asserted their liberty and the nation’s autonomy restored.

“Independence asserts that all men are created equally; that the Great Architect of the Universe endowed us all with certain inalienable rights, among those are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

“In our Jubilee Year, we reminisce and salute the achievement of our great leaders Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and Dr. Cheddie Jagan. Therefore, the sweat blood and tears of our ancestors should not be treated trivially, but valued to the point that we are inspired to develop the rich legacy bequeathed to us.

“As we reflect, on the true meaning of jubilee, let us also contemplate on ways in which we can liberate the City from the social ills that consume many. As we give expression to our cultural diversity and rich heritage, may we also consider ways in which we can contribute to restoring the beauty and pristine state of Georgetown.

“The vision of the Georgetown Municipality is to deliver a City that is comparable to other modern cities in the hemisphere; a city that is clean, green and pristine, a garden city that is well zoned, an environment free from violence. A City where good environmental care and health is practiced by all citizens, our heritage sites are maintained and enhanced and, cultural diversity is promoted and expressed, where our open spaces are transformed and beautified so that all citizens, particularly our vulnerable groups can have maximum access.

“Presently, the City of Georgetown is poised to experience an environmental renaissance; this can only be achieved with the co-operation of every man, woman, boy, girl in every community working in unison with the Georgetown City Council. We are therefore convinced that this is possible as we work together. God bless Guyana on this 50th Independence Celebration,” the message concluded.