The coalition Government is continuing to ignore the growing concern of civil society as it relates to the branding of State property in its signature green and yellow party colours. The latest rebranding move is the repainting of Guyana Water Inc (GWI) vehicles.
The repainted GWI vehicle
Efforts to elicit a comment from GWI’s Head, Dr Richard Van-West Charles and the Public Relations Officer proved futile.
However, photos began surfacing of the rebranded vehicles sporting yellow and green tile shapes along the sides and the front bumper. Guyana Times has been unable to confirm who authorised the colour change but it is observed that it is in keeping with the Government’s rebranding efforts by using the APNU/AFC colours.
The act of rebranding started with the changes to the Ministry of the Presidency (MotP) and moved to State House. The minibuses and boats under the President’s 5Bs programme have also been painted green. The Administration is accused of bypassing the Guyana National Trust and changing the colour of State House – a historic building, from its signature white to green.
The National Trust has since written to the MotP seeking an explanation for the colour change without permission.
President David Granger earlier said that he was unaware of breaking any law by changing the colour of State House and in fact questioned the work of the National Trust.
Just over the weekend, former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran said that the selection of the term ‘The Green State’ had something to do with the party colour and the President’s obvious attraction to it, adding that it is a demonstration of the Government’s commitment and a way of whipping up political support. Ramkarran believes that further popularisation of the colour green will result in State House becoming known as ‘The Green House’, just as the residence of the US President which is painted white is known as The White House.
Before the next election, which is due in 2020, Ramkarran said the entire city of Georgetown could become green, if not environmentally, then at least in colour, in line with Guyana’s green forests, green trees and green vegetation. This is something that the Government has been vigorously pursuing.
