HGP Nightly News – Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed is raising alarm over government plans to host Guyana’s 60th Independence anniversary flag-raising ceremony at Fort Island, warning that preparations for the event could come at the expense of one of the country’s most important historical sites.
In a video statement, Mohamed said while the Diamond Jubilee is a major national milestone, the way the event is being prepared raises serious concerns about heritage preservation. He pointed in particular to reports of vegetation being removed at Fort Zeelandia and argued that a site with such deep historical value should not be disturbed in ways that could weaken its long-term protection.
According to Mohamed, Fort Island is not just another event location, but a national monument that has survived for centuries despite environmental pressure and structural strain. In his view, that history should make authorities more cautious, not less, about the kind of activity being introduced there now.
He also raised concern about the impact that crowds, temporary works and other event-related activity could have on the fragile grounds and old structure. Mohamed suggested that increased movement and infrastructure at the site could place additional pressure on the fort’s condition, at a time when preservation should be the overriding priority.
The Opposition Leader further questioned whether the current approach is consistent with the legal protections that exist for national monuments. In his view, the issue is not only about the location of one ceremony, but whether the country is applying its own standards properly when heritage sites are involved.
Mohamed also turned attention to the cost of the preparations, including reported spending on a helicopter landing area and walkways at the site. He argued that if tens of millions are being spent on temporary arrangements for one event, the public has a right to ask whether those resources are being directed wisely, especially when other urgent needs remain unmet in areas such as healthcare and access to services in hinterland communities.
For Mohamed, the Fort Island issue reflects a larger national concern about priorities, transparency and accountability. He said independence celebrations should uplift national pride, but not in a way that risks damaging the very heritage they are meant to honour.
His overall position was that Guyana’s 60th Independence anniversary should be marked in a way that respects both the significance of the moment and the need to preserve the country’s cultural and historical assets for generations to come.
