The central committee of the PPP/C is urging that all necessary steps be taken and needed support rendered for local government elections to be held this year.

The party says it is concerned about the negative effects caused by the delay in holding these elections.

This was disclosed by PPP/C's General Secretary, Donald Ramotar, who briefed the press yesterday at Freedom House on the first quarterly meeting of the central committee held last Saturday at the party's headquarters.

At that meeting there was a full assessment and evaluation of emerging and new social and political issues locally and internationally and how these relate to the work of the party and the functioning of the PPP/C government.

According to Ramotar, at the meeting concern was expressed that further delays in holding the elections could harm the reputation of the local government bodies and lead to an erosion of confidence by the citizenry in the vital local institutions.

He said that the party was committed to working "assiduously" at all levels with the local government reform task force, the National Assembly and the Guyana Elections Commission to realize the elections this year.

"We urge all political parties and stakeholders in this process to offer unequivocal support for the holding of local government elections 2002," Ramotar said.

Ramotar pointed out that his party was focused on its short- and long-term goals, and suggested that all the party supporters should be on guard "and ever vigilant against those who would seek to undermine out gains."

He said that the PPP/C was united as ever and would not be distracted as it continued to construct a more harmonious society in which there was abundant and lasting peace, progress and prosperity.

The party's general secretary reported that President Bharrat Jagdeo in his presentation updated the meeting on the work of the government in the various sectors. He revealed plans for sustaining economic and social growth in the context of a global economic downturn and the many challenging situations, internally and externally.

The meeting was also briefed on the budget preparation process and how the various measures proposed will impact positively on the economy and the living and working conditions of all Guyanese. The meeting was also provided with an update on the state of the ongoing dialogue process between the government and the main opposition party.

According to Ramotar, the meeting unanimously supported the dialogue process and urged that it should continue to contribute to an environment of constructive engagement and cooperation between the government and the opposition.

On the sectoral committees of parliament, the central committee urged for a speedy resolution of the issue in order for pending constitutional issues, such as the creation of the Public Service Commission, the Judicial Service Commission and the Police Service commission, to be resolved.

At the meeting the central committee also decided that the party's 27th triennial congress of delegates and observers will be held this year on July 20 and 21 in Region Six, East Berbice/Corentyne.

The party's general secretary said that the national congress committee was already making preparations for the congress and a local congress committee would be convened within days to commence work on the ground.

Ramotar said that the congress would be historic as delegates and observers would review a new party programme, which would be the first in a decade.

"This is in keeping with ongoing efforts to ensure that the party's programmatic platform remains relevant, given changes locally and externally. And as a statutory congress function, the constitution of the party will be discussed," Ramotar said.