Dear Editor,
I attended the National Assembly on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. I was there primarily to witness the expected election of PNC Leader, Aubrey Norton, as Leader of a combined Opposition and also to witness a triumphant return to Parliament of Volda Lawrence. It was a stimulating occasion and I wish to thank and compliment the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Issacs, for his kind courtesies extended to me. Deserving of praise, is also the Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir, for his correct handling of the session I attended. He demonstrated a degree of adroitness and balance of some of his great predecessors, the likes of A.P. (Okro) Alleyne, R.B. Gajraj, Sase Narine, BartronScotland, a sign that he is maturing and worthy of that high office. As a citizen, I look forward to the new Opposition Leader being a fierce and relentless protagonist to help secure the well-being and new opportunities for all the people of Guyana.
With the growing gap between the rich and the poor, this is a daunting but necessary task. Speaking to senior members of all the Parties in Parliament, I got the impression that the contracts and arrangements made with the oil giants are cast in stone. The old wisdom of United we Stand, Divided we fall, makes more sense now than ever before. This is a challenge, this is an assignment, this must be the noble venture, Aubrey Norton, Irfaan Ali, and the leadership of AFC, WPA, et al. We must ensure that we bequeath to our children and our children’s children, a land of beauty, a land of plenty, a land of national pride and a land of peace. The Late Yesu Persaud, at a function held at the western end of Merriman’s Mall, said that we came here in different ships but we are all now in one boat, and I add, let us therefore paddle like hell to the drum-beat of One People, One Nation, One Destiny so that we navigate safely the turbulence of a tricky International Order to a safe haven.
At this time, where the Muslims celebrate Ramadan, Christians celebrate Easter, the Hindus have just finished their period of Nauraatri, the Spiritualist and Israelites celebrate Passover, it is a good time to seek divine intervention. We thank the Creator who have placed us in a country with an abundance of natural resources, no floods, no hurricanes, no monsoons, no earthquakes, 83,000 sq. miles and less than a million souls, if we ignore the opportunities we have and indulge in shouting and pettiness, then the Gods who gave us plenty will punish us.
Sincerely,
Hamilton Green
Elder