It’s time for youths to take leadership in PNCR – Bond

Attorney James Bond believes now is the time for youths to take a more dominant role in the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and it is for this reason he will be contesting the Vice Chairmanship, during the party’s 19th Biennial Delegates Congress, which opened today at Congress place, Sophia, Georgetown.
Bond, armed with his “Vision 2020”, told Guyana Times that youths must begin the process of preparation to take over the political reigns in the very near future, thus the impetus for his candidacy.
“I believe that the Vice Chair position (in the PNCR) is the ideal position for a young person to start saying, you know what, we are ready to assume some form of leadership role within the party… So I believe that in the party hierarchy, I believe there is a place for a young person,” Bond said.
The young Attorney is confident of a victory, arguing that he enjoys the support of the youths within the PNC who, he noted, encouraged him to contest. Bond remarked that “even before accepting, it was young persons who said, you know what James go-ahead and accept. we will support you.”
Bond added that while nationally, youths remain the most dominant demographic, there is still not enough representation in the body politic and as such, he is urging youths to get involved in the process now, with the focus being on the country’s next General and Regional Elections set for 2020.
“I think now is the ideal time for young people in all political parties to begin to position themselves… not only the PNC. Most of the persons in Government right now and in Opposition… at some point they would say they have had enough of public politics. So I believe in all the political parties, that young people should start contesting, making their presence felt,” the young politician declared.
The others contesting the Vice Chairpersons positions are Volda Lawrence, Dr George Norton, Beni Rayman, Clement Corlette, Aubrey Norton, Dawn Hastings, Christopher Jones and Winston Felix who have all been nominated. Corlette and Felix have told the party of their intention to contest for the post.
Ronald Bulkan, Larry London and Annette Ferguson have been nominated for the post of Treasurer; however, London has declined his nomination.

Harmon pulls out of race
Meanwhile, State Minister Joseph Harmon, who was also nominated for the position has indicated a disinterest in running for the position of PNCR Vice Chairman.
In a statement from the Office of the Minister of State on Thursday, he explained that his current portfolio is too demanding for him to juggle the tasks that comes with the position of PNCR Vice Chairman.
Nonetheless, he said he remains “humbled” by those who nominated him to contest the position.
The Returning Officer is former Assistant Police Commissioner and Attorney Michael Somersall.
Already, President David Granger has been returned as party leader unopposed and Basil Williams as Chairman unopposed.
Bond had in 2011 contested the PNCR’s Presidential Candidacy but managed to only muster 13 votes. The candidacy was won by current President of Guyana, David Granger.
The congress which runs from August 26-28, is expected to see some 500 persons in attendance, with representatives from each of the 10 administrative regions of Guyana.
As leader of the party, Granger will make his maiden address to the congress since being elected President last year.