(L-R) IRO Chairman Juan Edghill, Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, FITUG President Carvil Duncan and Hits and Jams' Kerwin Bollers.

Embattled Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) Juan Edghill says his involvement with the organisation of a public event to show appreciation for the soon to demit office President Bharrat Jagdeo is in keeping with biblical exhortations.

He was at the time addressing a news conference called on Saturday to brief the media on the September 16 extravaganza which is to be held at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The invitation titled 'A World of Thanks President Jagdeo!' states that the event is "In tribute to the contribution of His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo to the economic, social and political transformation of Guyana."

Edghill has been barred by the court from performing the functions of ERC chairman until the constitutionality of the current body is settled and was responding to a question about his impartiality as ERC chairman in light of his association with the 'Friends of Jagdeo,' the event’s organisers.  

“Everything that I’m doing is in keeping with what the scripture says, give honour to whom honour is due,” he said pointing out that he was representing the Christian community and Inter-Religious Organisation.

“The bible establishes that all persons in authority are there because God wants them to be in authority and there is no way appreciating a president who’s about to demit office could be deemed taking sides,” Edghill declared.

According to him, if that is the “narrow thinking” that exists then it is obvious that much more work needs to be done in Guyana. He added that they are changing landscape which sees recognition being given only when people die.

It was indicated at the briefing that the September 16 event was not a political one but had its roots in an idea from the members of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), a body seen as largely pro-government.

The organising committee also includes representatives from the private sector and the other religious faiths. The organisers said they could not put an estimated cost to the event given its scope and that funding was being done on a voluntary basis.

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali, also present, sought to allay concerns that the privately organised event was utilising state resources despite the involvement of the police and army.  The Guyana Defence Force has agreed to put on a paratrooping display while the Guyana Police Force is to run a Gymkhana exercise, both on the day of the event.

‘No state resource is used for this event, none. The mere fact that a minutia like this could actually arise along a bigger picture when a new culture is being put forward by the ordinary working class people and people all across Guyana tells a lot about the journalistic maturity that our country enjoys and how we develop that maturity as we go forward. Financially, none of the state resources is utilised,” Ali said.

When pressed on the involvement of the disciplined forces Edghill subsequently advised that questions should be directed to those entities.

“That is a question that the Chief of Staff of the army should answer because we have written the Chief of Staff as well as the police force indicating what is going to be taking place and to find out how they would like to play a role. I have written responses from them on what that role would be; there is no pressure, no obligation.

The request to both the army and the police force came from the organising committee, it was not an instruction that was given by any government official … so that’s a matter that you might want to ask the army and the police force to deal with,” Edghill said.   

It was also pointed out that the forces also perform at religious and trade union activities free of cost.

Popular event promoters Hits and Jams are also onboard and are scheduled to run a televised programme the night before the event titled “Celebharraton” which will have a call in segment and feature notable personalities expressing their appreciation for Jagdeo’s contributions.   

Friday's event at the stadium begins at 3 PM and is set to include a large number of cultural acts, all local, video messages, personal messages and will see motorcades from several parts of the country culminating at the venue.