…it is “selfish” for Red House to represent only Cheddi Jagan – AG
By Devina Samaroo
The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government is still bent on having the Red House transformed into a facility in memory of all past Guyanese Presidents and has indicated its preparedness to ensure this happens.
Providing an update on the matter, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams told a news conference that it was quite “selfish” to have the Red House representing only late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan, who is also the founder of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre located on High Street in Kingston, Georgetown
“There have been nine Presidents of Guyana and we feel that it’s not really feasible really to have one past President to be using up such, to be alone situated on that Red House. It kind of reeks of selfishness…All nine Presidents should be housed under Red House,” he emphasised.
Upon the coalition’s assumption of office last year, it was revealed that the prime land on which Red House sits was leased to the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre for 999 years for only $12,000 per year.
Government had strongly objected to this and had consequently announced its intention to review the lease agreement.
The Attorney General disclosed that meetings were held last year with the Management Committee of Red House during which several proposals were made.
“They wanted to be able to rent it as an alternative so as to house only the former President, Cheddi Jagan,” he disclosed, noting nonetheless that the Government was not inclined to adhere to those requests.
“We are hoping that the PPP would show some maturity on this matter, because we believe that all nine Presidents should be situated in the same building,” he stated.
Nonetheless, Williams reminded that the President of Guyana, David Granger had the sole authority for all State lands.
Objections
In objecting to Government’s attempt to control Red House, former President Donald Ramotar expressed that the move represented pure “arrogance and vindictiveness”.
During an interview with Guyana Times last year, Ramotar stated point blank that to share the building with other Presidents would be a blatant dishonour to the “prestigious” Dr Jagan.
“Dr Jagan lived in that house, it is the perfect memorial for him,” Ramotar stated.
The PPP had also voiced its concerns over Government’s decision.
“The name ‘Red House’ is an exemplification of the fact that Dr Cheddi Jagan was, at that time, branded a ‘Red’ and Communist and due to the fact that he lived at the time in that building it became known as Red House or the Red’s House,” the Party had commented.
It noted that former Presidents Forbes Burnham and Desmond Hoyte were never deemed as ‘Red’ or Communist, and they never shared the ideology and philosophy of Dr Jagan.
As such, to suggest that Red House be the depository of Burnham’s and Hoyte’s work was not only “ludicrous” but “objectionable”.
It added that to associate Red House with Burnham and Hoyte would be a “historical misnomer” and contrary to the progressive anti-colonial and anti-imperialist ideas, thoughts and memories associated with Dr Jagan.
Suggestions were made that instead of interfering with Red House’s unique legacy, Government should move to establish individual research facilities across the country for each past President. The facility is being managed by Nadira Jagan, the daughter of the late Cheddi Jagan who has been silent on the issue.
The Red House is located on High Street, Kingston, Georgetown and Dr Jagan had lived there while he was the Premier of British Guiana from 1961-1964.
The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre was officially established in 1999 to promote research into and publish materials on the life, work and ideas of Dr Jagan – this will also promote research into the history of Guyana’s struggle for Independence and social justice, and the history of Guyana as a whole from the early 1940s to the late 1990s.
Dr Jagan was well-known around the world as an incorruptible freedom fighter and revolutionary who dedicated his life to the poor and powerless in Guyanese society.
