The Department of Culture, Youth and Sport of the Ministry of Education has retracted statements by Head of the Mashramani Secretariat Lennox Canterbury on a final decision having been made regarding the new route for the May 26 float parade.
Following an article published in yesterday’s edition of the Stabroek News regarding the new route, a retraction was issued yesterday by the Office of the Minister within the Ministry of Education.
According to the article, Canterbury had told Stabroek News that a decision was made to reroute the float parade to the Rupert Craig Highway. Based on the information divulged by Canterbury, the floats and revellers were expected to assemble at the University of Guyana Road on the Rupert Craig Highway and traverse the southern carriageway, leaving the northern carriageway for public viewers and vending. The parade would have then made its way onto Public Road, Kitty then Vlissingen Road to Thomas Lands and into the National Park.
However, the ministry has since advised that a new route has not yet been finalized as consultations were still ongoing with its corporate sponsors and other stakeholders.
When contacted, Canterbury explained that since he last spoke with Stabroek News, a review of the proposed route was done which resulted in the need to make several adjustments and changes.
Additionally, a member of the Public Relations team for the 50th anniversary celebrations explained that they have “gone back to the drawing board” since several of the corporate sponsors and the ministry were yet to fully agree on a new route. However, he indicated that the two parties are expected to be engaged in discussions this week to decide on a new route and a final decision is expected to be released by weekend.
In the article, Canterbury had stated that the reason behind the new route, was the congestion of the city caused by the old route. He noted that the new route would cater for the public viewers, since he expects a mammoth crowd as persons are scheduled to return home for the big event.
Additionally, the new route would also facilitate a much larger vending capacity, since areas along the Merriman Mall will not be able to accommodate a lot of persons desirous of vending on that day.
