Region Two Chairman Ali Baksh; Harripersaud Nokta; Presidential Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Donald Ramotar; President Bharrat Jagdeo; and Dr Rajendra Singh, of the Association of Concerned Guyanese, USA, stand in unity at the Essequibo County Conference on April 9
Members of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in Berbice were encouraged to work hard and ensure that all eligible voters are registered ahead of the upcoming general election. President Bharrat Jagdeo delivered this charge at the final county conference, held at the JC Chandisingh Secondary School in Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, East Berbice on Monday, April 11th, where Donald Ramotar was overwhelmingly supported by the rank and file of the party as the presidential candidate.
Jagdeo assured the delegates of a secure future, and asked that they work hard to ensure the party could deliver on this promise.
In his address to the gathering, Jagdeo said Ramotar’s skills as an economist are invaluable, noting that he would have to do much more to improve on what has already been achieved. He also spoke of the strides made to develop Guyana, the imminent oil exploration project in the Corentyne River, and the hundreds of newly-trained doctors returning from Cuba.
In his presentation, Ramotar said that the party remains united and is ready to face the polls later this year. He urged supporters to build on the foundation laid over the years, as the PPP paves the way for a modern Guyana. His speech to the delegates centred on the party’s plans for the country and its youths.
The party faithful were urged not to be complacent, but to work hard and ensure that the party stays in power. Ramotar also commended Jagdeo on his leadership since 1999.
Meanwhile, Ramotar flayed the Kaieteur and Stabroek News publications, which he deemed “enemies to progress”. Ramotar pledged his party’s undying effort to prevent the two publications from advancing their negative agendas.
Jagdeo also took issue with the Kaieteur News, pointing specifically to the publisher, Glen Lall, whom he called “a small-minded businessman. The Stabroek News also came in for criticism for what Jagdeo saw as its “anti-government stance”. He urged supporters not to allow these two media houses to define who they are.
Chairman of the selection process, Dr Roger Luncheon, earlier in the proceedings, gave an overview of the process that led to the 61-year-old Ramotar being selected as the presidential candidate.
Ramotar was congratulated on his selection by many, and it was requested that the central committee elect a new general secretary to support the presidential candidate. One member from the Women’s Progressive Organisation asked that Presidential Adviser on Governance, Gail Teixeira, who was one of the contenders for the presidential candidacy, be considered for a leading position on Women’s Affairs in the new Cabinet.
Monday’s conference wrapped up the selection process of the presidential candidate of the PPP, and indicated that there was strong support among the party membership for Ramotar. Two other conferences were held in Demerara and Essequibo at the weekend. The PPP Central Committee, on April 4, “unanimously identified” Ramotar as presidential candidate, after the other three contenders – Teixeira, Rohee and Ramkarran – withdrew from the contest.
