PNCR reaffirms commitment to governing coalition
-stresses importance of diaspora
The People’s National Congress Reform’s (PNCR) first General Council in the year of its diamond jubilee saw its leader, President David Granger reaffirm its commitment to the APNU+AFC coalition and stress the importance of the diaspora to the party.
The party has also committed to several activities including paying homage to its founding members and has given full support to the Government’s attempts to retake Red House, a National Heritage building.
The meeting of the party’s second highest decision-making body was held on Saturday at the Party’s Headquarters, Congress Place, Sophia under the theme: “PNCR: The Vanguard of a Green Economy,”
According to a press statement from the Party, Chairman Basil William informed members including those who had travelled from hinterland regions and overseas that “for the first time in 23 years, orders have been made by Judges in our courts against the President (who has Constitutional Immunity from suit), Prime Minister and Attorney General, without giving them a hearing.”
The statement did not clarify which order Williams, who is the Attorney General, was referring to.
It however noted that he said the PNCR would continue to support the Coalition government in its efforts to restore the rule of law in Guyana even as he urged Party members to enhance their contact with the Guyanese people in all communities and to continue to work to bridge the coastland and hinterland and expressed confidence that government would quicken the pace of development in many sectors during 2017.
“We must take up the many opportunities for employment that our pursuit of a ‘Green Economy’ together with the imminent ‘on-boarding’ of our oil and gas industries will bring” the statement quoted Williams as saying.
Having observed a minute of silence for Party members who had passed away in the period between General Councils, the General Secretary’s Report was presented by Oscar Clarke who reported to the Council that the state of the Party was strong, poised and prepared to participate fully in all events planned for the 60th Anniversary events of the PNCR.
Leader of the PNCR, President Granger delivered the feature address during which he reminded that the Party was founded to serve the people of Guyana and said that during the Party’s Diamond Jubilee year (2017), homage will be paid to the founders of the Party and plans drawn up for the next sixty years.
It was during this address that Granger said that the PNCR remains committed to the APNU+AFC coalition.
“The PNCR is committed to coalition politics; we are better to together”, he said.
The statement further noted that Granger took the time to address the diaspora, noting that the efforts of PNCR members in the diaspora have always been an essential element in the PNCR and will continue to be important to the Party’s efforts.
“The diaspora is vital to the PNC; it is a vital component. I trust the diaspora and I believe in the diaspora,” Granger said. There has recently been a rift between Granger and a section of the diaspora.
He later urged Party members to protect and preserve the family and said that the PNCR must examine what is happening to families in their communities and make efforts to confront teenage pregnancies, juvenile delinquency and crime. He reported that the 5 B’s (Boats, Buses, Bicycles, Breakfast and Books) initiative for school children was working.
He called for party representatives in the regions to focus on education and assist young people in finding employment and pledged government support for initiatives to rebuild village economies.
“Despite the challenges, we have to find employment for the young people of Guyana. We have to develop the village economies; we have to start producing things at the village level,” he said.