Govt moving forward with proposed regional flags, renaming of regions
─ “We will not allow the agenda to be hijacked by unwilling elements” – Min. Bulkan
─ initiative a deepening of people’s empowerment, Guyana’s democracy
─ residents would determine flags and other emblems
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Despite the challenges in some quarters, the government said it will be moving forward with the proposed regional flags and renaming of regions.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan said the government is behind on its expectations in this regard. This, he reiterated, is due to the unwillingness of most of the Regional Democratic Councils (RDC’s) to participate in what, he said, is leeway for democracy in Guyana.
“It is unfortunate that the elected leaders in those regions seem not to understand the importance of this initiative, which is greater levels of people’s empowerment and deepening of people’s empowerment and the deepening of Guyana’s democracy.”
Minister Bulkan said some regional leaders still seem “imbued” with the political principle and philosophy of “rule from the centre,” where the central government is the organ that makes decisions alone.
“We will pick up the pieces in 2019. The outcome of consultations is the determination of the administration to proceed with the initiative, having given the leadership ample opportunity to come on board. We will not allow the agenda to be hijacked by unwilling elements,” the minister said.
In keeping with a principle of decentralisation and regional and local empowerment, the administration had signalled to the RDCs that among desirables to be promoted are regional identity and pride. Residents have been given the opportunity to make a determination on whether they would like to retain the existing names of their regions or if they would like to adopt new names. The residents would also make a determination on flags and other emblems for the regions.
Alexis Rodney.
Image: Jules Gibson.