Georgetown, GINA, April 7, 2008

President Bharrat Jagdeo urged Guyanese last evening to use the lessons taught by late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan to confront the challenges facing Guyana and the Region. The Head of State was speaking at the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Fun Day at State House in honour of Dr. Jagan.
“We (government) can never promise there wouldn’t be challenges but if we look at the resilience of Cheddi Jagan many of the lessons that he taught then, we can face these challenges well together and ensure that our country moves forward and that this place becomes better for all of our people.”
The President explained to the large gathering that crime and high food prices continue to plague the Region and it is a time when collective efforts must be taken, pointing to the recent Heads of Government Security Meeting held in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) at the weekend.
He said several pertinent decisions were taken at the meeting to bolster crime fighting including the introduction of legislations.
“They (Caricom) agreed to a set of measures which were unknown in the past but which are important in the arsenal in the fight against the criminals, for example, wiretapping legislation, plea bargaining, a Caricom polygraph unit to make sure that polygraph members of the law enforcement agencies prevent corruption,” he explained.
The President asserted that in relation to Guyana, the criminal gangs that carried out the two massacres at Lusignan and Bartica will be hunted down.
“We will not rest until we get them, continue to hunt them forever because what they have threatened is the way of life. They have threatened progress, development and we have to collectively raise our voices, especially against those who seek to justify their (criminals’) actions.”
Guyanese were urged to understand the challenges facing the country and to this end he said they must stick together.
“You had food riots in Haiti; four people were killed…Cost of living is rising across the world; it is causing a major impact on food prices. In Trinidad and Tobago they looted flour trucks, a country that has a huge oil economy that is making so much money today.”
He said, “So we have to ensure this doesn’t adversely affect our people. It’s going to be a challenge but we have to deal with it because the rest of the world is facing that challenge too.”
The Fun Day was the culmination of several events held in honour of the late President. There were several booths showcasing art and craft, books and other literature on the struggle for democracy and the development of the various sectors. There were also games and live performances by local artistes.