AS Guyana prepares to celebrate its 50th Anniversary of attaining the status as a Republican nation, the Republic Arch that was built and commissioned on February 21, 1970 to commemorate the occasion, was recommissioned yesterday, February 21, 2020.
On February 23, 1970 Guyana etched its name in history as the first Caribbean country to become a Republic, and to date remains as the only Cooperative Republic.

The historic piece of architecture with mounted commemorative plaque representing Guyana’s 50 Years as a Republic is strategically sited at the intersection of Avenue of the Republic and Church Street, in the capital city of Georgetown. It is made of aluminum and was built by Brass Aluminum and Cast Iron Foundry which has its headquarters in West Ruimveldt, one of the city’s wards.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who, along with Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton, did the honours, said the arch was “a symbol of our new pride and our status as Guyanese republicans.”

He said too that Guyana was being transformed from the backyard it used to be and into a modern country with the window to our new world being our capital city Georgetown.
Ministers of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karen Cummings; Minister of Business, Hemraj Rajkumar; Mayor of Georgetown Ubraj Narine and former Mayor Hamilton Green; and Second Secretary of the Indian High Commission Virendra Gupta, were among the gathering witnessing the event.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister drew attention to the location of the arch, noting that it was a magnificent edifice that represents the symbol of our financial autonomy, citing its proximity to the Bank of Guyana and to the old Bookers store renamed Guyana Stores Limited.

According to him, Guyanese’ love of arches dates back to 1966 when on the occasion of this country receiving its independence, an Independence Arch was erected on Brickdan. That structure still stands proudly in the vicinity of the Square of the Revolution, with the Flag of Guyana fluttering at the nearby D’Urban Park.
The Prime Minster stated that the oval-shaped structure on Church and Avenue of the Republic, overlooks one of the few remaining canals of Georgetown which separate the east and west wings of the Avenue of the Republic.

The Avenue, previously a part of High Street, was renamed 15 years ago, on February 21, 1970 to commemorate the birth of the Republic of Guyana. The exercise then, was all part of a number of activities and events to usher in Republic status. The renaming of the street was officiated by then Mayor of Georgetown, His Worship Mr John Ford, in the presence of the then Mayor of Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago, Mr Hamilton Holder, among other dignitaries, the Prime Minister added.

The Prime Minister further remarked that over the years the Republic Arch has enhanced the beauty of Republic Avenue and its environs and is yet another symbol of our growing national pride.
He reminded of other arches that have been erected at the entry points of the capital city, at Agricola on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) and Industry on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

Noting that much has changed over the years, the Prime Minister spoke of the citizens becoming more attuned to orderliness, the reduction of floods as was experienced in 2015 and the reduction of garbage, along with the installation of garbage receptacles at strategic locations in the city.
Also, the country’s highways have been enhanced, overhead pedestrian passes have been built and there has been improved visibility with the installation of road and street lights in several communities..

The Prime Minister also endorsed a public appeal for the restoration of the iconic City Hall, noting that a similar exercise is ongoing at the St George’s Cathedral. He, therefore, reminded that the arch is located in the midst of history and in the midst of cultural symbols and heritage buildings of the world.

It is with pride that the Government of Guyana has enhanced and recommissioned such an incredible piece of history and architecture, in commemoration of the country’s 50th Republic Anniversary. Also, it restored the capital city to its original name of `The Garden City’, having rescued it from the` Garbage City’ state it was in prior to 2015.
On this note, the Prime Minister publicly recommended the work of Mayor Narine for “taking forward the mantle of sterling leadership, to ensure that the city is to what it once used to be.”

Lancaster in his earlier historical brief stated, that the date chosen for the Republic Anniversary was the date that was struck by national hero `Cuffy’, in his fight for freedom in 1763.

The reciting of the Universal Prayer, a rendition of a national song and a musical selection by steelpan by two members of the National School of Music, spiced up the event.