PPP says all set for historic 27th congress
Stabroek News
July 19, 2002
The People's Progressive Party (PPP) says all arrangements are in place for the holding of the party's 27th Congress of Delegates and Observers tomorrow and Sunday at the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School, Port Mourant, Corentyne.
President Bharrat Jagdeo, who is also a member of the party's central and executive committees, will deliver the feature address and declare the congress open, a release from the PPP said yesterday.
Under the theme "Defend Democracy: Build on our Successes", the congress is expected to assess the local and international environment and come up with new strategies in order to reposition the party to execute its mission of improving the quality of life of the Guyanese people, in particular the working people, the release stated.
It said further that a major highlight of the congress will be the presentation of the central committee report by the general secretary of the party, Donald Ramotar. There will also be the presentation of the revised party programme, amendments to it as well as to the constitution, resolutions, and political declarations.
"Importantly," the release noted, "and in keeping with the democratic nature of the party, there will also be elections for a new central committee."
Workshops will be held covering a wide range of issues such as party organisation, an assessment of the current political situation, both locally and internationally, the social sector and the party programme and constitution. The release noted that the congress is taking place on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the party having formed the government during which time it had to face up to numerous challenges, including what the PPP refers to as attempts by the opposition PNC/R to derail the democratic process.
According to the release, the congress is expected to provide an opportunity for the membership to review the work of the party, in the face of what it has described as destabilisation attempts by the PNC/R. Congress, the release noted, is the highest decision-making forum of the party and is expected to bring together over 600 delegates and observers from all the ten administrative regions of the country. A number of overseas support groups and fraternal organisations are expected to be represented at the congress.
Already, the release said, some of the delegates and observers representing PPP groups from Region Nine, Eight and Seven are in Port Mourant for the congress. The PPP says too it is confident that it will emerge out of the congress much stronger and united to continue the task of rebuilding a Guyana in which there will be peace, progress and national unity.