Officials said more than 2,000 delegates and observers from across the 10 regions of Guyana will meet for the next two days, to deliberate the future direction of the party.

Apart from the scores of delegates and observers who began arriving from hinterland locations earlier this week, General Secretary of the party, Mr. Oscar Clarke said that members of the Reform section, including overseas representatives, have already arrived in the country.

The Congress is being held under the theme "Rescuing and Rebuilding the nation - Creating Opportunities for Success."

The highlight of today's opening, to be spiced with rich cultural activities, will be the feature address by PNC/R Leader, Mr. Desmond Hoyte, the party said.

During his address Mr. Hoyte is expected to make an analysis of the political and economic situation in Guyana, and outline his vision of the way in which the party will prepare itself to tackle the numerous challenges of the coming years, officials said.

Another important feature of the Congress will be the election of office bearers for the new biennium on the closing day (Sunday).

Clarke said 70-odd persons will be contesting for the 15 seats on the executive.

Contesting the position of Leader will be Hoyte, who has been the helm of the PNC/R for the past 17 years; Mr. Vincent Alexander, Mr. Raphael Trotman, and Ms. Germaine Vansluytman, the first ever female contestant for that position.

Party Chairman, Mr. Robert Corbin has indicated that he will not be contesting the post.

At a news conference at the party's headquarters yesterday, Central Executive Committee member, Mr. Deryck Bernard outlined plans for the Congress.

He said Hoyte's address today will be "wide ranging...(and) will lay the basis for the policies of the PNC/R, as it prepares itself for election to office, and the kinds of policies and programmes which the PNC/R will implement when this occurs."

Clarke will tomorrow report to the Congress on the state of the party, its organs, and its political work.

This report, Bernard said, is expected to "adumbrate necessary reforms and re-organisation of the party structure as it gets ready to take its political struggle to new levels."

And immediately following the General Secretary's report, will be a panel discussion on "The Way Forward", which will be based on the analyses and proposals contained in the addresses by the Leader and General Secretary of the party.

Bernard said the discussion will allow the general membership of the party to respond directly to their visions of its leadership.

Issues such as the tactics and strategies, the ideology and philosophy of the party and its future social and economic policies will be addressed, he said.

He said that coming out of this open discussion, the party will be able to forge a consensus on the way forward for the PNC/R.

Bernard said that at the conclusion of the general discussion, the Congress will break into workshops to refine particular strategies for "The Way Forward".

The party will also debate questions and motions from groups around the country.

These include suggestions for party policy; plans for the reform of the machinery, as well as questions seeking clarification on the party's position on such issues as the dialogue process, he reported.