…several community meetings held in Essequibo
During a two-day tour of Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) to officially launch the Local Government Election campaign, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo met with hundreds of concerned residents and offered a listening ear to the many concerns they had.
Jagdeo, who arrived in the Cinderella County on Monday, held public meetings and met with residents in several communities, and even visited the Charity Market and met with Pomeroon farmers. Residents were happy to get a one-on-one conversation with the Opposition Leader on the many issues facing them, and many of them reiterated their full support for the party.
The PPP General Secretary also held well-attended community meetings along the Coast, where he listened to the many problems facing the people in various sectors, especially the rice industry.
Many rice farmers are unable to go back to the lands, due to the low prices for paddy and the many new taxes implemented by the present Administration, especially on fertilisers, drugs and farm equipment.
during his 2-day visit to Region Two
Residents expressed disappointed in the way the present Government is managing the affairs of the country. They also raised concerns about the escalating crime rate in the country, among other things.
The Opposition Leader promised to continue the fight for a free and prosperous Guyana. He also warned about the repercussions of Government waiting on oil money and neglecting other sectors.
The People’s Progressive Party first launched its LGE campaign in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) with meetings held at Number 70 Village, Number 56 Village, Hogtown Chesney, and Hampshire on the Corentyne.
Jagdeo pointed out that the Party was implementing a 12-point criteria list for choosing persons to represent their constituencies at the upcoming elections. He said one criterion was to ensure widespread consultation to select a representative.
The Opposition Leader has since asked all to participate in the process, and has said that by August 18, the names of those selected should be submitted to the Party’s head office.
As preparations continue, Jagdeo said, the PPP would be ready for Nomination Day, set for September 2018.
The party has also announced plans to balance its list of candidates to contest the LGE on November 12, 2018 by having 50 per cent come from within the Party and 50 per cent from civil society.
Jagdeo has said his Party would ask possible candidates who were going to be on the list if they would have the time to serve or volunteer for these positions.
“We are going to ask them right up front… because they may not have the time, and the work of the NDC (Neighbourhood Democratic Councils) or the municipality would suffer,” he stated.
Jagdeo said the idea of balancing the slate was to ensure that it includes people coming directly from the communities, who have skills and could relate to the community and push to have the communities improved.
“These are people who are known in the area; people of good repute; law-abiding citizens who have done community work; religious leaders, young people in the youth movements,” he explained.
The PPP General Secretary said one of the major constraints was Councillors having little time to attend meetings; because elected officials do not earn salaries, and so many of them are “busy earning a living elsewhere”.
“…they have to give a commitment that they will support and defend the positions we campaign on,” he explained.
In each of the 81 areas, communities will do their own selection and screening of all of the candidates at the bottom, and then in consultation with the Party’s leadership.
Candidates, he said, would be expected to possess good interpersonal skills and have a sound grounding in the communities where they reside, especially to prevent the PPP being labelled for something bad.
