Dear Editor,

AS THE country prepares to celebrate its 51st Independence Anniversary on May 26th, I humbly wish to suggest that the Regional Administration, Region 2 should magnanimously recognise the distinguished and invaluable contribution of its patriotic stalwarts within the Region. I recalled that this noble and appropriate gesture was done in the past and during the flag-raising ceremony. It was not sustained however even as the Region continues to be proud of producing a number of outstanding personalities in various fields of profession over the years.
Therefore it is an ideal opportunity for the Administration and other stakeholders to re-establish an awards ceremony, which has the potential to inspire, reward and promote the Region through the creative, determined and fine talents of its human resources. I am indeed quite impressed with the sustained manner in which the Region has managed its limited resources in many fields, including Agriculture, Education, Law, Social Work, Sports, Medicine, Culture, Entrepreneurship and Volunteerism. It is therefore to the credit of its unlimited reservoir of determination, passion for success, refined work ethic and the combined tactfulness in protruding the Region to the fore.

During this memorable occasion therefore, it would be of significance for the Region to recognise some of the finest, including Parmeshwar Lall, Walter Joseph, Desiree Charles, Forbes Daniels, Charles Spellen, Narotam Dass, Darmalinga Ramachandra, Rafeek Khan, Nazeer Mohamed, Sam Bacchus, Winston Christiani, Alfo Alphanso, Roopan Ramotar and Neil Boston, among others. The Anna Regina Secondary School was served with distinction by Parmeshwar Lall, who retired as a Graduate Headmaster, while Narotam Dass remains a brilliant Mathematics teacher who also taught in Botswana. Just recently Neil Boston was elevated as Senior Counsel and whose compelling contribution to the field of law remains evident.

The Region is indeed indebted to the entrepreneurship of Alfo Alphanso, Sam Bacchus and Roopan Ramotar, whose enterprises are being expanded both locally and internationally. The trio is also creating employment for a wide cross-section of persons. Agriculture remains a firm economic base for the Region which is being majorly contributed by the likes of Rafeek Khan, while Nazeer Mohamed is also a Rice Farmer, Economist and an Educator too. The sterling contributions of Walter Joseph and Charles Spellen as Agricultural Officers for over five decades combined ensured that the administrative and technical impact was proficient.

The Regional Administration also tremendously benefitted from the stewardship of Winston Christiani, who served as a Chief Accountant for over two decades and whose penchant for accountability and performance was well established. Admiration remains high for the sacrifice and selfless act of community development by Desiree Charles, who is a retired teacher and who remains very active in many ways to enrich the lives of her fellow citizens, including in fellowship, mentorship and public relations.

Dr. Rama, though not a Guyanese by birth, has adopted Essequibo as his home, where he remains a towering giant in the medical field and whose expertise has been widely sought and maximised at the Public Hospital in Suddie. I have been very critical of the state of sports in the Region, but the exceptional and continuing efforts of Forbes Daniels as a Coach remains quite a remarkable tenure of qualitative service to the cricketing public in Essequibo. This is indeed a joyous moment for all Guyanese as we join to celebrate our victory as a free nation. In Essequibo in particular, the county remains proud to have produced such outstanding sons and daughters whose collective contributions have placed the Region as a model of independence, hence they deserve being rewarded.
Regards
Elroy Stephney