Ali scolds private sector over independence parties amid Mahdia sorrow

President Irfaan Ali last evening scolded the private sector for their promotion of party events for this year’s independence anniversary celebration, in spite of the fact that the government had called for a period of mourning and itself had toned down its celebratory plans.

“Our posture is one of support, one of healing, and one of uplifting these families,” Ali said as he slammed the private sector for being irresponsible with the promotion of their shows. He posited that they should have demonstrated some level of responsibility and followed government’s posture.

Following the death of the 19 children from the Mahdia Secondary School on Sunday, government converted the celebrations planned to a night of remembrance and prayers.

“Our Independence celebration will now take the form of a night of remembrance and prayers in memory of our children… This independence will now be dedicated through prayer and remembrance to these our beautiful children of Guyana,” President Irfaan Ali said during a live broadcast to the nation on Tuesday.

And on Monday, he had declared three days of national mourning following his visit to Mahdia.

He had also directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast at all public buildings in honour of the children.

“I asked that as a nation we utilise the next three days as three days of prayers for these children, their families, and the communities,” he had said.

Last evening while speaking form Lethem, the Head of State emphasised that the “organisers of these shows must have a conscience of the situation in our country and the level of grief in our country, and I trust they have the ability to make the right decision in the interest of our country and those who are grieving.”

The government took the decision to tone down the country’s 57th Independence celebrations, which were scheduled to take place in Lethem. They were preparing to elaborately usher in the country’s independence in Lethem as they did last year in Region Two.

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce in the lead up to the celebrations was advertising tour packages for individuals and groups who were desirous of participating in the celebrations.

Following the fatal fire on Sunday night, the President on Monday declared three days of national mourning.

“I ask that as a nation we utilise the next three days as three days of prayers for these children, their families and the community… There are no words that can describe this magnitude of pain that our brothers and sisters are going through today…We wish this day had never occurred… This is a pain we must carry as a nation and as a family. It is a pain we must share together and support in our prayers.” The Head of State also announced that no effort would be spared to help stricken families. Last May, the country ushered in its 56th independence anniversary with a flag-raising ceremony at Damon Square in Anna Regina, Region Two, on the Essequibo Coast. It was the first time the national celebration, which was packed with cultural items, was held outside of the capital.