Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton on Thursday sought to provide clarity on recent news headlines suggesting that he left the Bartica Regatta observance without speaking to those in attendance. According to Norton, there was no opening ceremony due to the lateness of Prime Minister, Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips.
During his weekly press conference, Norton in responding to a question from Guyana Standard said that he was indeed listed on the programme to give remarks. He noted however that the ceremony remained at a standstill because the PM was not present.
“It had nothing to do with the Opposition Leader not speaking. I was invited to a 9 o’ clock opening ceremony. We were there and we interacted with people. Up until quarter to one, the opening ceremony did not begin… even when the lap of honour was done, only the Opposition Leader and his team was a part of that ceremony,” he said. Following this, Norton said he proceeded to inform the organizers that he had another engagement where he was meeting with residents of Samville, Kuru Kururu. He noted that the meeting in Samville was arranged prior to his trip to Bartica.
“The organizers knew about this trip and I thought at the time that the residents of the same village had a legitimate concern. I informed them that I wanted to get to the boat by 1 pm. I was then informed by the organizers that there would be no opening ceremony since four events had already gone off, and as such I left,” he said.
The opposition leader insisted that his account of what took place is factual.
