| Sunday, 04 August 2013 22:22 |
THE historic 30th Congress of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) ended on a successful note yesterday at the J.C Chandisingh Secondary School in Port Mourant Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice with a clarion call of the delegates for the PPP/Civic government to continue to work tirelessly to deliver higher levels of goods and services |
to the people of Guyana- health, housing, education, water, jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities; the mobilisation of the Guyanese masses to support the identified higher level of infrastructure development- Amaila Falls hydro project, the Marriott Hotel, the Road to Lethem, deep-water harbour, a new crossing over the Demerara river, CJIA expansion; and to intensify community activism to address development at the local/community level.
This Congress was hailed by delegates and observers as among the most successful which saw a higher level of participation and enthusiasm to stand by the party in bringing together the masses to realise a Guyana of peace, progress and prosperity.
Participating delegates and observers came from party groups stretching across the 10 administrative regions of Guyana, inclusive of significant hinterland delegations.
Ministers of the Government, members of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of fraternal organisations both locally and overseas, representatives of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) and the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), the women’s and youth arms respectively joined party delegates and observers for a dynamic opening ceremony which set the tone for the subsequent plenary sessions over the three days.
A major highlight of the Congress was the Report of the Central Committee delivered by the General Secretary and President, Donald Ramotar. The report analysed current political, socio-economic conditions in Guyana and the impact of the international political and economic environment. The Central Committee Report was an occasion for in-depth discussion on the way forward in the present situation where the party operates in a minority position in parliament. It also pin-pointed the key obstacles placed in the way by the political opposition in stymieing national development and undermining the democratic gains of the people of Guyana.
The Central Committee report also emphasised the need to seek alliances and forge a national consensus to defeat the anti-national position of the opposition. The delegates rallied around the party to heighten the struggle for the realisation of Amaila falls - hydroelectric project.
There were several workshops on the party, the youth, women, local government, the political situation, parliament, elections, the regional and the international environment. The reports and recommendations from these workshops were adopted and will be reviewed and implemented by the leadership in the coming period.
The delegates and observers of the Congress, as is customary, were given the opportunity to make recommendations for amendments to the constitution and programme of the party. As a result the Congress adopted amendments to the constitution which would encourage a higher level of activism by members.
In addition, there were diverse discussions on resolutions submitted by party groups. Delegates also adopted a political resolution, and the party’s congress received messages and greetings from several fraternal local and overseas organisations. Congress also recognised those party activists who have contributed selflessly to social and political work for 25 and 50 years.
Another feature of the Congress was the meetings between leaders of the party and delegates from distinct geographic locations to deal with issues which would positively contribute to the development of the party and improve the work of the Government, especially in local communities.
Central to party congresses is the election of new leadership that would oversee the party between congresses. The congress elected a new Central Committee of 35 members and five Candidate Members. The results of those elections are as follows.
