Granger, who is Chancellor of the Orders of Guyana, on Thursday, conferred Stuart with the insignia of the Order of Roraima, Guyana’s second highest National Award at an investiture ceremony at the President’s official residence.
At a ceremony to mark Guyana’s 50th year old political independence from Britain, Granger said that the Prime Minister also distinguished himself as, “a doughty defender of the territorial integrity of Guyana and Belize and the maritime space of all Caribbean states.”
He said both Guyana and Barbados gained their Independence from Britain in 1966. Barbados will be celebrating its 50th Independence Anniversary in November.
Both countries also pioneered the founding of the Caribbean Free Trade Area (CARIFTA) in 1965, even before they became independent and established a joint High Commission in London soon after Independence. Additionally, the two states’ Prime Ministers, Forbes Burnham and Errol Barrow, were among the four ‘founding fathers’, who signed the Treaty establishing the Caribbean Community in Chaguaramas in 1973.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Stuart said that he receives this honour with much gratitude and humility. “It is an important moment for me. I have been a follower of Guyana for many, many years. I’ve been influenced quite a lot by what is happening in Guyana over the years. I was a great admirer of the late President of Guyana, Forbes Burnham and therefore to have been the recipient of this award this morning is a real humbling but delightful experience,” he said.
Speaking about bilateral and trade relations between the two countries, the Prime Minister said that said concerted efforts are being made by both nations to improve and strengthen the Guyana-Barbados Joint Commission.
He said that both countries can learn much from each other; noting that Barbados as a leader in tourism in the Region, stands ready to assist Guyana to further develop its own tourism industry.
Also present at the investiture ceremony, were Prime Minister Moses Nagmootoo, Cabinet members, Commonwealth Secretary General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, Advisor on the Council of Ministers of Suriname, Ambassador Harvey Narendorff and the diplomatic corps.
On Wednesday evening at the 50th Independence Anniversary flag raising ceremony held at the D’urban Park the Government announced the list of outstanding Guyanese to be conferred with National Awards this year.
