PNC-R appoints Attorney-at-law as new General Secretary

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the largest party in the parliamentary Opposition Coalition, has appointed Attorney-at-law Sherwin Christopher Benjamin as its new General Secretary.
In a statement on Thursday, the PNCR disclosed that its first Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting was held on Wednesday since the 22nd Biennial Delegates Congress held almost three weeks ago in June.
Party Leader Aubrey Norton, under the authority granted to him by the party’s constitution, announced the appointment of Benjamin as the party’s new General Secretary.
According to the missive, Benjamin brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the PNCR, having been involved in the party since 1997.
Benjamin has held various positions within the Guyana Youth and Students Movement (GYSM), including Group Chairman, Regional Vice Chairman for Region Six, National Executive Committee Member, and National Treasurer.
Additionally, he currently serves as the Regional Representative to the PNCR’s CEC of Region Four.
Professionally, Benjamin is a lawyer admitted to the Fiji Bar in July 2015. He is a graduate of the GuySuCo Training Centre, New Amsterdam Technical Institute, Critchlow Labour College, Project Management Institute, University of Guyana, and the University of Fiji.
As the new General Secretary, the PNCR said Benjamin will play a key role in leading the party’s efforts to strengthen its organisational efficiency, readiness, and appeal as the party and country prepare for the upcoming regional and national elections.
In addition, he will work closely with the party’s leadership and members to ensure that the organisation remains true to its mission and vision.
Benjamin is taking over the General Secretary post from Dawn Hastings-Williams, who resigned on June 24 – just days away from the party’s congress.
She cited among other things the lack of readiness for the party’s congress and her being sidelined in the preparations for the event in her resignation letter to Norton.
According to the PNCR’s Constitution, the General Secretary is the Chief Executive Officer in charge of the Party Secretariat and is responsible for its efficient organisation and its day-to-day functioning.
But Hastings-Williams, who is also a former Government minister under the APNU+AFC regime, complained about not being able to execute her duties. She raised concerns regarding the removal of a Central Processing Unit (CPU) from the Office of the General Secretary, without her knowledge as well as the lack of financial accountability within the party.
“I felt as if I was being watched and monitored. In fact, this was actually the second time I felt humiliated after being locked out at the gate where canters and cars were used to block my vehicle from entering to pick me up to take me home from work… Congress Place at present is not conducive to working especially when you have someone shouting and threatening staff that they will be sent home,” the politician lamented.
Hastings-Williams’ tenure as the PNCR’s GS lasted for just over a year. In fact, since Norton’s assumption as Leader of the party in December 2021, there have been several changes in the GS post.
Norton’s leadership style has been criticised and questioned by many party members including stalwart and former GS, Amna Ally. Moreover, there have been several controversies leading up to the PNC Congress, where Norton was re-elected for a second term.
He is facing allegations of sexual assault made by party member Vanessa Kissoon. Kissoon, who is currently a councillor on the Linden Town Council, claimed that Norton had threatened to rape her at gunpoint. The PNC’s elders have since launched an investigation.
In the lead-up to last month’s congress, Norton was being challenged for the PNCR leadership post by fellow parliamentarians, Roysdale Forde and Amanza Walton-Desir. However, both Forde and Walton Desir withdrew from the race just one day before Congress started. They, along with many other PNCR-elected parliamentarians, have been left out of the party’s new Executive Committee.