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Govt. to handle Dr. Jagan commemorative stamp
Dr. Cheddi Jagan
The Government will announce shortly national symbols to celebrate the life and work of former Presidents of Guyana, Raymond Arthur Chung, OE; and Dr. Cheddi Jagan, OE, within the context of set criteria for honouring eminent Guyanese.
This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the birth of both former Presidents, the Ministry of the Presidency said in a statement.
President David Granger said that the Cabinet has taken a decision that commemorative stamps, which are national symbols, must adhere to national criteria.
He added that such symbols must not be used for private, partisan or political messages, but ought to be used for national purposes.
The Head of State made these comments in light of press statements issued by the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (CJRC) and former Chairman of the Guyana Post Office Corporation, Mr. Juan Edghill, regarding the printing of commemorative stamps to honour Dr. Jagan as proposed by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.
The party wanted it for the celebrations.
President Granger said that there is no objection to honouring the life and legacy of Dr. Jagan, who he described as “one of the founders of the Guyanese nation”, but added that Cabinet is of the view that there should be equity in the printing of such commemorative stamps, which are national symbols.
Earlier this week, Edghill scalded the administration over the delay.
“As a former Chairman of the Board of GPOC, maybe one of the longest serving Chairmen, it is unprecedented for a client, in this instance the CJRC, to be referred to the Ministry of the Presidency for explanations or other information as it relates to this unfulfilled transaction between the corporation and a client,” Edghill said in a statement.
President David Granger
“This is nothing short of a full and open display of petty, partisan politics influencing a business transaction that could be considered purely an administrative matter. In my tenure, there was never the need for such an engagement with the political directorate to give clearance or approval for the issuance of a philatelic stamp, even if it concerned a political personality or a political organisation. It was purely a business transaction and a guarantee that the client has the capacity to stand the expenditure and to allow a profit for the GPOC.”
He reminded the Government that Guyana is not the property of the PNC. “Guyana belongs to all Guyanese. Notably, Dr. Jagan’s role and contributions cannot be discounted even by the fiercest of political opponents.”
Dr. Jagan was born in March 22, 1918 but died March 6, 1997, five years after he took his party to elections victory in 1992.
His party remained in office until 2015, when voters, weary of accusation of corruption and cronyism, chose the Coalition Government.
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