– accepted Govt’s invitation but no seating accommodation provided when they attended
THE political Opposition accepted Government’s invitation to tonight’s historic flag raising ceremony to usher in Guyana’s 50th independence, at D’urban Park on Homestretch Avenue, given the importance of marking Guyana’s freedom from colonialism.
The Opposition PPP/C, however, left about 45 minutes after arriving, due to what has been termed ‘utter disrespect’.
The Opposition was assured that seating accommodations would be available for the 32 People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Members of Parliament (MPs) and their spouses. However, this was not the case when they arrived. They were seen waiting for a lengthy period to even enter the VIP stand, where the MPS and other VIP guests were supposed to be seated.
Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jadgeo, was seen speaking to Attorney General, Basil Williams, and Minister of Culture, Nicolette Henry, about the concerns of the PPP/C MPs being seated. The conversation was a short one. The concerns aired seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.
Meanwhile, as the PPP/C MPs waited to be seated, scores of other persons, some casually dressed – some in short pants and t-shirts – at a formal event, were seen being seated in the VIP area. Those seated included Mr. C.N. Sharma and others.
There seemed to be no organisation at the entrance, given the massive group of people arriving, who were standing and waiting to enter D’urban Park. The people included MPs, VIPS guests, diplomats and other Guyanese.
The PPP/C MPs who arrived together for the flag raising ceremony, left together. Former Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, was also among them.
FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF A STATEMENT ISSUED A FEW MINUTES AGO FROM THE OFFICE OF THE OPPOSITION LEADER:
The People’s Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) had publicly expressed its desire to celebrate and participate in the 50th Independence Anniversary Flag Raising Ceremony, as this is a very special occasion in the life of our nation. As a result, Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo and other PPP/C MPs made every effort to ensure that they would be there and able to participate.
The issue of arrangements for accommodating the PPP/C MPs was raised on May 23rd,2016 with Minister Amna Ally and again on May 24th, 2016 at the sitting of Parliament; the Leader of the Opposition spoke directly to Minister Nicollette Henry who is the Co-chair of the Flag Raising activity. The Minister gave all assurances that seats had been reserved for the PPP/C MPs and their spouses.
On the morning of May 25th, 2016, Minister Henry was approached again about the location of and accommodation at the flag raising. Again, all assurances were given that the Leader of the Opposition, Members of Parliament and their spouses would be accommodated.
Regrettably on arrival at the VIP area tonight there were no seats set aside for the Opposition MPs, except for the two Former Presidents, Dr. Jagdeo and Mr. Sam Hinds and two other MPs. The majority of the MPs were left standing. Appeals were made to Minister Henry and Attorney-General Basil Williams but to no avail. However, in the interim dozens of people were escorted to and seated in the VIP area. After standing for over half-of-an-hour in the passage way and no seats were made available, the Leader of the Opposition, Former President Hinds, accompanied by the MPs and their spouses departed.
The humiliation of standing in the passage way while other people were being seated was deliberately designed to humiliate and embarrass the PPP/C parliamentary opposition.
Photos below show PPP/C MPs leaving tonight’s flag raising ceremony:
jadeo has to realize that he is no longer the President of Guyana and he cannot dictate terms and do as he likes. He should be thankful that the Government invited him and his criminal party members, He was invited and given instructions he failed to adhere to, he was told when to arrive, where to arrive and where he was to be seated and where the rest of his entourage was to be seated. This vindictive little lout showed up at the wrong entrance at the same time the President arrived and he walked in with a larger entourage than was allotted to him, he was the disrespectful one he intended to embarrass the President and the Nation at the most important time of the Countries life.
He and his entourage are a bunch of lowlife’s we can still remember when they loosed their feral dog manickchand at the American Ambassador in his residence and then they walked out, so we all expected this, so all you racists out there should pay attention to what damage they did to Guyana when they were in Government and what damage they are still doing to Guyana now they are out.
Thats an insult to all ppp supporters.
Leaving the ppp/c with out seats was a very bad thing to do it’s very sad , I cant believe this
It appears to me that this was all planed. One cannot be told that seats were prepared for the PPP/C and when they turned up no seats were there. This is really
disrespectful to Dr Jagdeo and his team particularly when this matter was told to Mr Williams, the Attorney General, and nothing was done. Are these people humans?
I am really not happy with that and if one was to look back during the PPP ruling.. There were never something like this… Something like this never happened… It is clear that the administration does not want the PPP and it’s supporters to be a part of the celebrations… So why the hell they used state fun to do it? That is my question… Why use state funs??
it’s ok jagdeo this show that they cannot even run an event properly much less a country . apnu/afc is a failure they have no respect and they call for social cohesion where Amna Ally? this she a failure
APNU morons at it again this gives a clear pic of that these morons are for ppl of their own kind .Never expect any better from these thugs–we indians better wake up and very soon too.These ppl are out to destroy us in every possibly way they can .The fish rots from the head .Ah wonder what the useless ,incompetent dictator will say this time?The one who profess to be a man of GOD –The indians should all walk out and separate themselves from the celebration its seems that the big jump up is only for ppl that look like grangaaa.
That’s disrespect to the highest. I don;t see how the opposition can be treated this way on such and occasion and the current administration is hoping for national unity. What goes around comes around. I thought they were for change but they are no different.
Not surprised, it was a ?lack raising ceremony. SHAMEFUL!!!
The ppc was not disrespectful in any way,there were no seating available for members of the ppc party and so I believe what Mr jagdeo did was the correct thing to do.He left because he did not want to see his comrades uncomfortable and disrespected that’s a true leader.
THIS IS
UNCIVILIZED/LACK OF ETIQUETTE, BEHAVIOR BY THIS INCOMPETENT APNU GOVERNMENT. IT IS SIMPLE COURTESY WHEN YOU INVITED SOMEONE WHO WHEN TURN UP TO WELCOME THEM BY MAKING THEM COMFORTABLE BY OFFERING THEM A SEAT. IT IS SHAMEFUL FOR THIS TO OCCURRED AT THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION OF GUYANESE HISTORY. THIS SHOWS LACK OF MATURITY. A LOT MORE STILL NEED TO BE LEARNED.
This, without a doubt, appear to be a deliberate actions of the government. It’s a shame, that the president is saying one thing but encouraging another. This behavior of the present government will put the icing on the cake for more non-co-peration and worsen the political atmosphere in Guyana. It seems these people of the present government are abnoxiously un-profesional. They don’t where and when to pick a fight. This very well prove the UN-PROFESIONALISM OF APNU / AFC GOVERNMENT. SO SAD. THE WAR HAS JUST BEGUN. NOBODY WILL BE SO PUBLICLY EMBARRASSED AND TAKE IT LIEING DOWN. WATCH OUT, IT’S COMING.
This is utter nonsense. I totally support the opposition with this decision to leave.
What can anyone expect from uncivilized creatures like the military dunce Granger and his cronies of apes