Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 18, 2015 News
All hands are being invited on deck to make Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations as grand and all inclusive as possible. Minister within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Nicolette Henry, says that with an approved budgeted sum of $65million in the recently presented National Budget, the planning has commenced for the one year observance.
However, while Guyana has grown accustomed to witnessing or participating in the annual Mashramani float parade on February 23, those looking forward to the big costume spectacle will have to wait a bit longer. Most of the big activities have been shifted to May of 2016.
“Preparatory works for independence have begun to ensure that our celebrations will hit the ground running from January 2016,”said Minister Henry.
A year of activities is planned but the main events will culminate in the week of May 26, 2016. The Minister said that it is official that a mega float parade will be held on May 27, 2016 instead.
“We are aiming to have 50 floats on the streets for independence but as it relates to the Mashramani 2016 plans, things like the traditional flag raising ceremony will be held, but most of the big activities have been shifted to May, 2016,” the minister assured.
To make this even as grand as can be the Government has established the national commemorative commission in addition to advisory units that are focused on areas of ceremonial, security and academia that will be spread out in various regions.
Minister Henry made it clear that, the 50th independence anniversary observations are not just for Georgetown, “It’s to be spread out countrywide as a national activity that offers a chance for our peoples to do introspection of how far we have come over the last 50 years and where we are heading in the next fifty. The events planned will highlight that kind of thinking.”
According to the Minister, the commission has already met and a secretariat has been formed as the working arm to execute the functions and they have already established sub-committees.
“Those sub-committees have begun work to the extent that at the end of August we concluded a logo competition. From that competition we had 68 entries and we are now down to a short list of four.”
Kaieteur News understands that the Independence Logo will be launched in a week’s time, the minister assures.
The $65 million that has been approved in the 2015 budget will be used for, among other things, the production of stamps and coins which require advance payments. The money allotted also includes costs for venues preparation and ordering of memorabilia, tokens, medals etc.
But the $65 million is just a drop in the ocean for preparatory works. Much more monies will be needed and budgeted for in the 2016 national budget to make the nations 50th Independence anniversary what it needs to be, the Minister assured.
Additionally a Facebook page will soon be launched. It will be aimed at attracting Guyanese in the Diaspora as well as to get suggestions.
The schedule of activities will also be posted shortly once a decision has been arrived at. As part of having universal involvement, the minister confirmed that she has dispatched letters to every organization, ministry and agency that exists inviting them on board.
“I’m also asking the public to start to look at their environment in terms of cleaning up and decorating. I would like to see every Guyanese involved because this is our celebration and there is a lot that unites us as a people that we need to celebrate and we should do it as a people.”
While itemized activities have not yet been made, there are lots of activities planned the minister said.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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