Prime Minister Samuel Hinds urged party supporters on Sunday to bring in new members to the fold as the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) sets its sights on regaining the majority in the National Assembly.
Hinds made the comments while addressing a gathering at Babu John as the party paid tribute to its late founding leader, Dr Cheddi Jagan on his 17th death anniversary.
Absent at the ceremony was President Donald Ramotar, who was at the time attending the Caricom Heads of Government meeting in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Guyana’s third Executive President, the late Dr Jagan was remembered by his party as a man who gave his life for the betterment of all Guyanese. Acting President Hinds in a brief address said the annual pilgrimage to Babu John should be used as a time for supporters to re-commit themselves to serve the Guyanese people.
“Cheddi was committed towards the growth and development of the Guyanese people.” He said some may see the former President as a “master of seeking assistance”. “The world sees him as a fighter of debt relief…. There was a great need to have the debt of Guyana written off and he led the way,” Hinds said, adding: “Building the nation and uniting the people was one of Dr Jagan’s foremost goals.”
The acting President urged youths to see a good example in the late President and to serve the people of the country well. “We lost quite a lot when Dr Cheddi died in 1997,” Hinds noted, but added that he has left a good example for all to follow.
“We must ensure that we do the best we can, whether we are young or old, we must provide the best service to Guyanese.”
Invite
Hinds encouraged party supporters to invite others to join the party so that the party can secure a majority at the next general elections.
Meanwhile, reading a message by the President, First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar said her husband regrets being unable to attend the event. Noting that 17 years have already gone by since Dr Jagan died, the President in his message said almost on a daily basis, he looks at Dr Jagan’s work and methodology for guidance.
Ramotar said that the joint opposition in the 10th Parliament has made life difficult for Guyanese. The opposition has created havoc on the proposal to increase electricity subsidy for Linden, which resulted in riots and loss of life. The President said that he engaged the opposition in almost every national project in Guyana since he took office. “I am determined that the Amaila Falls Project will be built so that all Guyanese can have a better standard of living.”
Recommitment
Meanwhile, PPP General Secretary and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee called on those in attendance to remember what the Jagans stood for.
He said Dr Jagan has left the party a rich legacy which is still relevant today. “He has taught us to fight against all forms of dictatorship. He has taught us to fight against political bullyism in whatever form it may take,” Rohee said.
Earlier, party officials and family members, along with members of the diplomatic corps, laid wreaths at the monument at the Babu John Crematorium.
Dr Cheddi was described as a man who promoted the arts and in reflection of that, the Central Delight Dance Troupe of Corentyne and other groups performed.
Dr Jagan suffered a heart attack on February 15, 1997 and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital before being flown by a U.S. military aircraft to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. later that day.
He died in Washington on March 6, 1997.
Prime Minister Sam Hinds succeeded him as President and declared six days of mourning, describing Jagan as the “greatest son and patriot that has ever walked this land”.
