Former MP still active in promoting social cohesion and development in Region Two

By Elroy Stephney
FORMER Member of Parliament (MP), Ishak Basir, remains very active in promoting the ideals of racial unity and community development among the various villages in Region Two. Basir was awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH) in 1996 for his exemplary service in Politics and Social Work. The veteran People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) politician has been instrumental in acquiring and delivering newspapers, particularly to the Pomeroon districts. In an invited comment with the Guyana Chronicle, he stated that the Amerindian villages seldom have access to relevant and timely information with regard to news, locally and internationally. As such, he has undertaken to collect used newspapers from various government and public offices and send them to residents residing in both the upper and lower Pomeroon River.

He indicated that many of his pursuits to seek progress and development within the Region are being done at his personal cost. However, he is proud to be actively involved, since he has embraced the need for a coalition Government which he believes can succeed in realising the rich potential of the country in every endeavour. The outspoken Basir further contended that more must be done to bridge the racial divide, while suggesting that he has a political formula that could determine the winner of the next general elections in 2020. Meanwhile, he has expressed concern that various protocols are not adhered to at Regional Democratic Council (RDC) statutory meetings in Region Two; and he is willing to advise the council, given that he spent almost 15 years as a parliamentarian and has considerable experience in parliamentary practice and procedures.

He cited one example whereby the RDC had suspended the Standing Orders to reschedule one of its statutory meetings, which he said was not correctly done. He is also advocating the reactivation of the commemoration committee of the region, since according to him national and other important events are not properly planned, citing that ministers of the Government are not even garlanded whenever they appear to perform key functions in the region. He has also undertaken to provide a list of important persons whom he believes should be regularly invited to important functions as a means of recognising their contributions and status within the society. In addition, the father of six children is also an avid reader and writer with considerable knowledge of the country’s history; hence, he provides documentation of his writings and distributes them free of cost to various organisations, schools and the general public.

He would have also previously donated a car and engines to the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI), so that students can gain practical experiences as a mechanic. Lecturing at various schools and institutions, including the New Opportunity Corps (NOC), also forms part of his civic duty to the people and children of Essequibo. He also takes pride in gardening and has been married to his wife Sabra Basir for over 49 years. The 83-year- old activist, who originated from the Pomeroon, is an American- trained dental technician, who also had served in the Pomeroon River as a captain and a boat hand. Living in the Pomeroon resulted in his duty to indulge in farming; hence, he still does gardening at his home as a past time chore after migrating to the coastland in 1974 to live in Hampton Court. He has vowed to remain active in charting a better life for Essequibians and according to him, ‘being a national awardee means that he will remain as a servant of the people.’