Latest update February 16th, 2025 7:15 AM
Latest News
- 275 cases of child abuse recorded in 2025 – Min. Persaud
- ‘Broomsie’ arrested for allegedly shooting ‘Duck’ over old grievance
- Jewellery discovered missing days after woman vanishes
- Exxon given more time to respond to first two audits – Routledge
- Guyana put on Donald Trump’s list to accept African and Asian deportees
East Coast $20M+ arch commissioned
The President of Guyana, David Granger officially commissions the structure in the presence of ANSA MCAL’s Executive Chairman Norman A. Sabga, Managing Director of ANSA McAL Trading Guyana Limited, Beverly Harper, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and other officials
The recently erected arch at Cummings Lodge compliments of Trinidadian Company, ANSA McAL Jubilee, has been described as an all-Guyanese endeavour.
This was according to the Executive Chairman of ANSA McAL Group of Companies, Norman A. Sabga. He was addressing the commissioning of the Cummings Lodge arch on the East Coast Demerara Public Road.
President David Granger officially commissioned the structure in the presence of ANSA McAL representatives, officials from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, businesses and the government.
Mr. Sabga told the gathering that the company’s business in Guyana for the last 25 years has flourished and as a result, the Trinidadian Company has donated the arch to the state. The structure costs some $20M, according to Mr. Sabga.
“This arch is our way of saying thank you to the people of Guyana for their support to ANSA McAL’s business endeavors in Guyana, Sabga said.
He explained that the arch represents the strength of the Guyanese people, their vibrancy and futuristic mentality.
The ANSA McAL Jubilee arch was designed and constructed by Marcel Gaskin and INC, Industrial Fabrications Inc (Infab), a team from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and a team from ANSA McAL.
The Executive Chairman added that the company will continue to work hard to build the company and create jobs in Guyana.
He also sincerely apologized for the traffic congestion caused by the installation of the arch on Thursday. “We did not anticipate that.”
President Granger during his remarks told the gathering that Guyana welcomes the erection of the commemorative arch in recognition of the state’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
He noted that Independence celebrations in 1966 were marked by the construction of arches which became important landmarks in Georgetown and other towns and villages. The most iconic of these structures, the President pointed out, is the arch located on Brickdam – Guyana’s oldest street.
President Granger explained that the arch is a National Monument which has a unique structure that represents the integrity of Guyana.
“It represents the unanimity of our creed as it rises towards the sky; it represents the diversity of origins of our six peoples; it represents the unity of three Dutch colonies – Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo – which were combined in 1831 to become British Guiana; it represents the richness of our natural resources – the bauxite which went into making the aluminium and the stone from our rivers and waterfalls – all of these are elements combined to symbolize not only our patrimony but also our destiny,” the head of state said.
That monument (Brickdam) has somewhat become a model for other monuments in other parts of the country. He strongly believes that it was that model that inspired the designers of the Cummings Lodge Arch.
“Last year May, I commissioned an Arch which was presented to the Republic by the Banks DIH Corporation at Agricola, the southern end of our capital. We are happy today – 12 months later – in May 2017 (and) 12 days before our Independence Anniversary, to commission another arch this time donated by the ANSA McAL Corporation at the eastern entrance to our capital.”
President Granger said that the arch defines the boundaries of our capital; it exemplifies Public/Private Partnership; it epitomizes the friendship of two states – Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, and their commitment of cooperation within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
“This monument will stand for decades as a tribute to corporate investment; it is recognition of Caribbean engineering talent. It is an acknowledgement of the innovativeness of our Caribbean people; it is an extension of our infrastructural development” the President said.
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, expressed profound gratitude to the company. He noted, “What we do today will have a ripple effect on our nation even when our names have faded.”
He thanked everyone responsible for designing, building and erecting this monument.
Minister Patterson also called for more Public-Private Partnerships.
He took full responsibility for last Thursday’s traffic havoc along the East Coast Demerara roadways and apologized.
Managing Director of ANSA McAL Trading Guyana Limited, Beverly Harper, made reference to utterances made by the late Dr. Anthony Sabga, the founder of ANSA McAL.
Dr. Sabga she said, told her, “Guyana is the future of the entire Caribbean for ANSA McAL itself.” She remembered him during the entire process of this arch.
Dr. Anthony Sabga passed away at the age of 94 on May 3, last.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The Opposition is engaged in self-sabotage
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- You know, I never thought I’d see the day when elections in Guyana would become something... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
