CJRC slams Govt for failure to print commemorative stamps

Dr Jagan’s 100th birth anniversary

…Guyana is not the property of PNC
– former GPO Chairman

The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (CJRC) has slammed the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) for its failure to deliver on its commitment to make available a collection of commemorative stamps in honour of the former President of Guyana, Dr Cheddi Jagan on his birth centenary.
In a statement on Wednesday the CJRC blasted the Government for its deliberate attempt to disturb the activities, which were planned on Tuesday to launch the stamp.
The Centre pointed out that despite given assurances by the GPOC and Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes that the stamps would be available in

time for the launch, they were told by the Post Office that the Office of the President should be contacted in relation to the release of the stamps.
Members of the CJRC believe that this transaction should have been a routine one between the organization and the GPOC, rather than a politically interfered matter. Initially, there was an agreement between the CJRC and the GPOC to have 400 first-day covers be printed for which $200,000 was deposited by the Centre. At that point in time, the stamp specimen and the first-day cover were already finalised.
The CJRC has viewed this as a measured attempt to frustrate the work of the Centre in light of the Administration’s attempts to seize the Red House, a case that was now before the court.
Moreover, this is considered as an “action of assault” against the late President of Guyana, who had made significant contributions towards the development of the nation.
Meanwhile, former GPOC Chairman Juan Edghill said that it was 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.
“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,” Edghill said on Wednesday.
He noted that this recent development, as simple as it may appear, made pellucid several things, including the micro-management by the State and the depth to which the dictatorial attitude of the People’s National Congress (PNC) will go, to stifle the political legacy of anyone outside that cabal.
“The disrespect that the Government is prepared to mete out to its own appointed governing board at the GPOC and the subject Minister for the sector by directing a client to consult with the Ministry of the Presidency; this is PNC control freakism in fine style and all other players are nothing ,but mere decorations in the room/coalition; it is one of the loudest messages of hypocrisy as it relates to national unity and social cohesion, which is much-touted by this Administration and finally, it makes the administration and management of the Post Office cronies who are subjected to political directions and who cannot or are unwilling to act, without approval from the PNC-dominated Government,” Edghill said.
He urged the Government to be reminded that Guyana was 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.”