While the President of Guyana focused his entire Republic Anniversary address to the nation on building one Guyana, the main Opposition APNU+AFC which represents almost 50% of the country’s population was left off of the invitation list to the official national flag-raising ceremony at parliament buildings.

Some opposition members raised the issue on social media yesterday.

In an address to the nation last evening, Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform Aubrey Norton, said while there is much about Guyana’s journey over the past 52 years as a republic to celebrate and be proud of, there must be collective work to rid the society of poverty, inequity, discrimination, and injustice that which are still extant in Guyana.

“The PNCR in this 52nd year of our status as the Cooperative Republic renews its commitment to the reduction of poverty and inequality and the elimination of all forms of discrimination and injustice in our society.  My fellow Guyanese this is a celebratory occasion. Unfortunately, it comes at a moment of tempered elation and merriment caused by the poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued choking of economic freedom by the knees of the corrupt, incompetent, and divisive PPP/C regime”, Mr. Norton said.

On the issue of the current economic situation, Mr. Norton said it concerns his party that while Guyana is getting lots of income, the people of Guyana are getting less while at the same time the high cost of living continues to rise.

“On this the 52nd Anniversary of our Republic we call on the Ali regime to stop serving their elite, family, and friends and ensure our people benefit from our national patrimony. Our windfall from oil and gas should not be used to make the rich richer, but rather to eradicate poverty and give our people the reason to celebrate”, he said.

The PNC leader called on the Government to focus more on the ordinary man. He said all Guyanese must be given the reasons to celebrate the country’s economic fruits and prospects.

The government, he said, must also address issues of discrimination and crime and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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