Congress 2000

.An update on the 12th Biennial Congress of the PNC/Reform. 

PNC Ready to Rescue the Nation
PNC 12th Biennial Congress

PNC-Ready to Rescue the Nation

 

Ladies and gentlemen of the media.  As you are aware the People's 

National Congress has recently concluded its 12^th Biennial Congress 

here at Sophia, under the theme "PNC – Ready to Rescue the Nation”.

 

Introduced by a cultural program of varied elements, it was a most successful 

Congress viewed from any standpoint.  

That it was well attended you have 

already noted (at least those of you who 

took the opportunity to cover our events).  

We had over 1300 Delegates and 

Observers, including substantial 

delegations from our hinterland regions, 

who made extraordinary sacrifices 

and efforts to be with us.  The debates 

were open, keen and decisive.  Members articulated their concerns and 

reaffirmed their commitment to the major goals of our Party. 

 

Today, we wish to share with you some of the high points of the Congress.  

Of singular and critical importance was the address of the Party’s Leader, 

Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte, at the Opening Session to the 3000 odd attendees 

which included the distinguished members of the diplomatic corps resident 

in Guyana, and a wide cross-section of Guyanese, representative of business, 

professional, religious and civic organizations.

 

The Leader’s presentation marked the high 

point of the Congress. It struck a most receptive 

note and was enthusiastically received by 

Congress participants. In addition to the 

Congress Address by Mr. Hoyte, there 

were two other major presentations to wit:  

the General Secretary’s Report and a 

Panel Discussion along with Regional 

Workshop sessions on the Party’s strategy 

to win the upcoming national elections.

 

Each of the above-mentioned presentations were fully discussed, analysed 

and elaborated by Congress which gave its approval and endorsed the new 

approaches outlined by the Party’s Leader to discharge the challenging task 

of rescuing this nation from imminent economic, collapse, and the chaos and 

anarchy which now threaten us.

 

The Leader’s Address provided the principal focus and policy formulations for 

a successful campaign and governance by the PNC under the banner 

“PNC/Reform”.  As Mr. Hoyte himself explains, the term “reform” has a 

four-fold significance.  I quote: 

 

“First of all, it recalls the transformation which the Party itself has been 

undergoing for some years now, the single most important event being 

the revision of our Party constitution in 1994 to commit the Party 

unequivocally to the maintenance of a free and open society; a 

market-oriented economy; a private sector that is the dominant 

instrument of growth and development; and an economic climate 

that is favourable for private investment, both local and foreign, 

and for business activities generally.

 

Second, it highlights the extraordinary transformation of this country 

by the Economic Recovery Programme that created a platform, 

unfortunately destroyed by the PPP, for the rapid economic 

growth of our country.

 

Third, it acknowledges the existence, the importance and the value 

of those non-party citizens who are associated with us.

 

Fourth, it gives an unqualified pledge and assurance to the Guyanese 

people of the profound and far-reaching reforms that the PNC/Reform 

would undertake in the post-election period to restore national 

pride and confidence and convert our country into a modern, 

prosperous State”.

 

Recognizing the virulent nature and pervasiveness of the national crisis which 

already engulf us and threaten our very survival as a Nation, Mr. Hoyte 

adumbrated a massive programme for national reconstruction and development 

to be undertaken by PNC/Reform.  Central to this is the Party’s commitment 

to the creation of an “inclusive democracy” for all Guyanese.  Exemplified by 

the following extract:

 

“ the idea of providing opportunities for all of our citizens, regardless 

of ethnicity, political or religious persuasion or geographic affiliation 

to have opportunities to take part in the management and the 

decision-making process within the State and in the political, economic, 

social and cultural sectors of national life”. 

 

The PNC/Reform will dedicate all its energies to abolish the old style of 

government which has “come to be cynically regarded as an instrument 

for rewarding Party faithfuls and dispensing patronage”.   So winning the 

next election is not enough. Rescuing the nation is our goal!

 

Congress also agreed to work tirelessly and assiduously towards winning the 

elections, constitutionally due by January 17, 2001.

 

Congress fully agrees that the hand of cooperation extended by patriotic 

citizens who wish to contribute to our programme of national reconstruction 

and our electoral efforts to ensure victory at the polls be accepted.

 

Congress endorsed a complex of economic, political and social reforms which 

include major infrastructural programmes: the Guyana 21 Project; an investment 

package for jumpstarting the economy; and a raft of other reforms for the health, 

education and social sectors.

 

Additionally, Congress agreed on the following:

 

that the PNC/Reform government will enact comprehensive tax

reforms to reduce the burden of over taxation that currently inhibits

economic growth.

 

that PNC/Reform will enact comprehensive legislation to protect

consumers’ rights and a Freedom of Information Act to encourage

greater openness and transparency in government.

 

 that PNC/Reform will implement measures to ensure the security

of our borders and the territorial integrity of our State – these

measures will include a comprehensive evaluation of the

immediate needs of those entrusted with the security of

the nation, including the recapitalisation of the armed forces.

 

Congress also agreed on the urgent necessity to eradicate the insidious and 

pervasive web of nepotism and corruption which continues to erode public 

confidence in the principal institutions and arms of the State, to ensure the 

restoration of public morale and public confidence in government - a 

prerequisite of nation building. Reform of the system of public tendering and 

awarding public contracts shall be a primary focus.

 

An important part of our programme of reforms, Congress agreed will include 

a re-examination of the Rights and conditions of Amerindian Communities, 

including a process of consultation with the leaders of the communities to 

ensure that our policies and programmes are consonant with the legitimate 

needs and demands of those communities.

 

Congress considered several motions and questions submitted by delegates 

and agreed on the appropriate measures to treat with them.

 

Congress resoundingly articulated its determination that Mr. Hugh Desmond 

Hoyte should continue as Party Leader and lead the Party into the forthcoming 

General Elections due by January 17, 2001.  Congress unanimously agreed to 

set aside the process for the election of a Successor Leader.  Congress 

delegates were unanimous in their convictions that the No.1 priority of the 

Party should be to win the forthcoming election therefore the Party should 

devote all its energies to that purpose.

 

In accordance with the Constitution of the Party, Congress elected the 

following Party Officers:

                        

Hugh Desmond Hoyte	- Leader
Robert Corbin	- Chairman
Vincent Alexander	- Vice Chairman

 

And fifteen other members to the Central Executive as follows:

Ivor Allen	Dr. Faith Harding
Amna Ally	Andrew Hicks
Brentnol Archer	Dr. Dalgleish Joseph
Deborah Backer	James McAllister
Deryck Bernard	Alan Munroe
Oscar Clarke	Bishwaishwar Ramsaroop
Andy Goveia	Raphael Trotman
Yvonne Harewood-Benn

                                                  

Additionally, the following persons were co-opted to serve on this body:  

Nazir Ally, Dharamdeo Sawh and Latchman Sammy.

 

Congress culminated its three days of 

deliberations and activities with the traditional 

Solidarity March and a massive rally at the 

Square of the Revolution. Party Leader, 

Mr. Desmond Hoyte reported on the significant 

and important outcomes of the Congress.

 

 

 

 

Oscar Clarke, General Secretary

People's National Congress

August 31^st, 2000

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PNC12th Biennial Congress

In another three weeks -- from August 25-27 – the twelfth (12^th) Biennial 

Congress of the People's National Congress will convene here at 

Congress Place, Sophia under the theme “PNC – Ready to Rescue 

the Nation”.

As you members of the media will recall, the Party by resolution of its 

General Council dated Sunday 8^th August 1999, decided to reschedule 

its Biennial Congress which was due last year to this year in order to 

ensure the best use of its resources by having a pre-election Congress to 

mobilize and galvanise its forces, so to speak, in our thrust to Rescue 

the Nation after waging a successful campaign and winning the 

forthcoming elections.

 

Our 12^th Biennial Congress, therefore, will being together some two thousand 

delegates and observers (Party members) who will be representatives of 

their groups throughout the ten regions of Guyana as well as special 

invitees and friends.  Because this Congress will be devoted to preparations 

for elections no fraternal delegations have been invited to attend. Over the past 

several months our members, from both coastal and hinterland regions,

 have been busily preparing themselves to participate meaningfully in the 

deliberations of Congress.  

 

The Special General Council Meeting which was held on Saturday 

April 29 – 2000 discussed the implications of the new Electoral System 

and agreed the tasks to be undertaken and the structures necessary for 

facilitating their implementation.  Discussions at this Congress will further 

enhance the work already done as well as clarify strategies for Campaign 

2001.Each region has been allocated a financial target as a contribution 

towards the overall Congress Budget and indications are that are well 

on the way to achieving their targets.  

 

Meanwhile, nominations for Party Officers have been submitted from Party 

Groups in accordance with our Constitution and indications are that there 

will be several contestants for the various leadership positions.  At he close 

of nominations, Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte is the only nominee for the 

position of Party Leader.

 

This Congress will also elect a member of the party to the position of 

Successor Party Leader in keeping with the decision of the party’s General 

Council of December 11, 1999.  In accordance with that decision our Party 

Groups have made nominations and the process of interviewing and short 

listing of the Candidates who will be eligible for election to this position 

will soon be undertaken by a Committee of Elders of our party.

 

In terms of physical preparations for the Congress work, this is at present 

proceeding apace to extend the Congress Auditorium in order to accommodate 

the anticipated increase in the number of participants.   Refurbishing of the 

main Secretarial building as well as other ancillary buildings is also taking place.

 

A plan for the decoration of the auditorium and the compound has been 

conceptualized and our team of decorators has already begun work. As 

regards accommodation of delegates, especially those from the hinterland 

regions, suitable accommodation at a venue closely has already been 

secured and we are at present endeavouring to ensure that it is in a 

state of readiness for the occasion.

 

PROGRAMME

On Friday 25^th August there will be a Ceremonial Opening Session which 

will feature various cultural items including the Congress” Theme Song.  

Participants will be drawn mainly from the Party’s Youth and Women sections.  

A few artistes will also be featured on this programme.  The Highlight of the

afternoon’s programme will be an Address by the Party’s Leader, 

Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte. Other programme items for the ensuing days, 

Sat 26^th and Sunday 27^th,  will include:

 

• The General Secretary’s Report
• Presentation and Discussion on Elections Campaign 2000/2001
• GYSM and NCW Conferences
• Questions and Motions.

 

The Congress culminates with a massive rally at the Square of the Revolution 

where the Party’s Leader will inform the nation on the major decisions of the 

Congress.  This rally will be preceded by a march from the Congress Venue 

to the Square of the Revolution.

 

At this time the People's National Congress wishes to record its thanks and 

appreciation to all those individuals and organizations that have been 

supporting our efforts in preparation for what would undoubtedly be a landmark 

Congress.  Enthusiasm is at fever pitch and all indications are pointing to 

a successful Congress and a grand launching of our Election Campaign 

2000/2001.

 

Oscar Clarke, General Secretary

People's National Congress

August 3, 2000

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