Granger relives Burnham ideology for PNC delegates
…as party prepares to vote for new leadership
The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) on Friday commenced its 19th Biennial Delegates Congress with a reminder that the PNCR’s ideology is inspired, largely, by the ideas of Forbes Burnham, its Founder-Leader.
President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger (third and fourth from right), Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (second from right), and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan (right) among a section of the gathering at the opening of the PNC congress
The message was delivered by Party Leader David Granger as he addressed the delegates at the party’s highest forum, ahead of tomorrow’s vote for a cadre of leaders for the Central Committee.
Granger used the occasion to remind delegates of Burnham’s principles of equality and nationalism.
According to Granger “the PNCR, over the past four years, therefore, established three new institutions to ensure that our founder’s ideas continue to inform current leaders and inspire future generations.”
He spoke to the establishment of the Burnham Education Scholarship Trust (BEST); the Burnham Book Trust (BBT) and the Burnham Research Institute (BRI) preserves the works and conducts research into the Founder-Leader’s ideas and life.”
Congress
Granger told those in attendance that they have been selected to represent thousands of members in groups, districts and regions throughout the country and from the Diaspora in the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe.
“They will discuss, deliberate and determine issues and make decisions to guide our Party for the next two years, in accordance with our Constitution.”
According to Granger: “We respect the institutions established by our founders…They have sustained us in and out of office, in hard and easy times, over the decades.”
He sought to impress on the delegates that this year’s congress is a special one since it coincides with the 50th anniversary of Independence and a change in government: “Our Independence anniversary is an occasion not only to remind ourselves about the past…It is an opportunity to renew our commitment to our country and to rekindle the enterprising ‘spirit’ of 26th May.”
He recalled too “how our Party, the PNC, struggled relentlessly for Independence.” According to Granger it is the PNC, together with the United Force (UF) which led British Guiana−the colony−into nationhood.”
Speaking about the coalition with which the PNCR entered in order to secure Government at the May 2015 General and Regional Elections, Granger said: “The PNCR, today, is in another coalition…It is our task, collectively for the next fifty years, to complete our historic mission to provide ‘a good life’ for all.”
He used the opportunity to also update the delegates on its union with the Alliance For Change which was formed through the Cummingsburg Accord and said, “it (the PNC) is proud to be part of the APNU/AFC coalition administration.”
In his message to the party’s highest forum, Granger said the “PNCR renews its commitment to all Guyanese?but most especially our women, youth, children and senior citizens?that we will work towards ensuring that we all have ‘a good life.”
He used the occasion to call on its coalition parties and civil society to work together to repair that damage, restore trust and rebuild the bases of a “moral community” which enables trust. He also used the occasion to speak to the PNCR’s commitment to support the Government’s goal to achieve a ‘green economy’. “Guyana, as a small, low-lying coastal state will ignore the consequences of climate change to its peril. Rising sea levels batter our sea walls…Extremes of weather, such as the recent bout of El Niño, associated with climate change, have already started to present formidable challenges to our country,” according to Granger The PNCR leader in his feature address to the party delegates also used the occasion to speak of the number of challenges facing the nation, inclusive of the recent territorial threats by neighbouring Venezuela, and reminded that “Guyana has always acted in accordance with the terms of the Geneva Agreement.” He said the country continues to urge a peaceful and expeditious solution to the controversy arising from Venezuela’s contention that the 1899 Arbitral Award, under which Venezuela was granted over 13,000 km² of territory, was a nullity.
According to the PNCR head who is also Executive President: “It was in search of a peaceful solution that I led Guyana’s team to meet the UN Secretary General, first during the Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in Bridgetown, Barbados in July and, second, during the UN General Assembly meeting in New York in September, 2015.” Providing an update of the party as part of the coalition in Government Granger drew reference to the many challenges faced thus far and said, “thankfully, we are ‘better together’ than apart.”
According to the PNCR Leader: “Our parties, with the support of the majority of the population, have the duty to fulfil our mandate to maintain Guyana as the most beautiful, and greenest country in the Caribbean. Our mission is to enable all Guyanese to enjoy ‘a good life’, which they deserve as citizens of an independent state.” Meanwhile the PNCR chairman in his address to the delegates regaled on the party’s recent victory at the General and Regional Elections, saying: “I am pleased to announce that we made the right turn…Now we must govern this nation of ours, for all Guyanese.”
