PNCR Leader Robert Corbin yesterday voiced his party’s support for Carifesta though he said before spending large sums on entertaining visitors the government must first put measures in place to tackle the rise in food prices and other issues.
In his address to protestors gathered for a rally at the John Ford car park on Church Street, Corbin said if comprehensive measures are not found the atmosphere will not be ideal for the successful staging of the festival. The PNCR leader made these comments at the rally which was held after several hours of marching through the streets of South Georgetown. His points were strongly supported by the protestors many of whom could be heard saying that they are fed up of going to the market or shop to buy food items, only to be met with a higher price. The party leader said government cannot give public sector workers a 5% increase on their salaries and an additional $4,000 to cope with rising food prices and then turn around and spend $500M to entertain a crowd at Carifesta. He called on the government to make the people their first priority and put the festival after.
The PNCR leader had previously said that if the government didn’t address a series of issues including the suspension of CNS Channel Six Carifesta could be affected.
Corbin yesterday said that the measures that the government has come up with to cushion the rising cost of food cannot work especially when all public sector workers, for example teachers, are not benefiting from the increase. He said persons worldwide are protesting this issue and governments are being urged to come up with a comprehensive plan to bring down food prices. Corbin said government is obligated to put measures in place to improve the quality of life of all citizens and this is a position that the Jagdeo administration must take.
Corbin contends that if persons do not protest, the president will continue to paint a picture to the rest of the world that all is well in Guyana and that the citizens are contented. As regard the ‘Grow more’ campaign Corbin accused President Bharrat Jagdeo of taking away people’s lands and then using politics to identify who to give it to. He labelled the initiative a conspiracy to politically deprive persons of the lands stretching from Linden to Rupununi by taking land from residents in certain villages on the grounds that they are not being used.
Corbin also called on the members of the Guyana Police Force to display professionalism when fighting crime. If the government intends to win the support of the people he said, this is something that needs to be done. He spoke of the police harassment of many young men and called for an end to this practice. Corbin also touched on the incarceration of ex-soldier Oliver Hinckson and the suspension of the Channel Six licence. He posited that unless CN Sharma’s broadcasting licence is restored “we will have difficulty seeing the success of Carifesta.”
The party plans to expand its protest action across the country and expects to do so by next month end. According to Corbin, the concerns of the people in other parts of the country also need to be heard. He said that the demonstrations will continue until all are satisfied and urged the public to come out and support the campaigns.
The march
Protestors maintained order along the protest route, though this was disrupted on Sussex Street when an errant motorcyclist hit a middle-aged woman from behind. Her fellow protestors did not take the incident well and fumed with anger. Several of them hit the man in his head and about his body accusing him of intentionally hitting the woman, even as police stepped in to rescue him. In fright the man tried to get away from the angry marchers and eventually found safety in a restaurant at the corner of Sussex and Smyth streets. The injured woman was taken to the hospital for treatment as the march continued.
The march started from the junction of Durban Street and Mandela Avenue with some protestors walking and others riding bicycles and scooters. They were guided by uniformed officers. The protestors carried effigies of Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, which they later burnt. They also held placards outlining the increase in the cost of living, some directed at the government, as they chanted “enough is enough”; “Jagdeo wining and dining as poor people suffering” and “Forget Carifesta deal with hunger.”
The crowd then walked through West Ruimveldt, Albouystown and down Smyth Street into Hadfield Street. They then walked down Camp Street and into Church Street before congregating at the John Ford car park.
Another march is planned for tomorrow afternoon.
