In a rousing speech that galvanized the “People’s Parliament” on December 11th, Hon. MP Amanza Walton Desir, articulated a fervent defense of national sovereignty and a call for comprehensive immigration reform. Her address, marked by a blend of diplomatic resolve and nationalistic fervor, underscored the challenges facing the nation at the cusp of significant economic transformation.
MP Walton Desir began her speech with a firm assertion on the territorial dispute involving Essequibo, a region claimed by neighboring Venezuela. She resolutely declared that Guyana’s sovereignty over Essequibo was indisputable, emphasizing that “there has to be no negotiation or deliberation” on this matter. This unequivocal stance resonates with a broader sentiment among all Guyanese, who view Venezuela’s claims as a lingering threat to the nation’s territorial integrity.
Pivoting to domestic issues, Walton Desir criticized the current administration’s approach to immigration, highlighting the absence of a coherent policy amid Guyana’s burgeoning economic prospects. With Guyana positioned as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, she pointed to the inevitable influx of foreign nationals seeking business opportunities. Her concern centered on the protection of native Guyanese rights in the face of such demographic shifts.
Walton Desir’s critique extended to the government’s handling of Venezuelan migrants, accusing them of prioritizing these individuals over native Guyanese. Advocating for a structured immigration system, she emphasized the need for registration and tracking mechanisms – practices prevalent in nations like the United States, which she argued should be emulated in Guyana.
Walton Desir also took aim at the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government, chastising them for what she perceived as incompetence and irresponsibility, particularly regarding border management and national sovereignty. She called for greater transparency and accountability from the government, particularly in addressing the migration crisis.
Concluding her remarks, Walton Desir called for national unity and mobilization to hold the government accountable. She underscored the need for a robust and competent government capable of navigating Guyana through its emerging status on the global stage – a capability she emphatically stated that the current PPP administration lacks.
In her closing, MP Walton Desir reaffirmed her commitment to Guyana’s territorial integrity, declaring, “Essequibo belongs to Guyana. We ain’t giving up no mountain. Not one rice grain. Not one Caracas, not a blade of grass.”
