TODAY’S opening of the 29th Congress of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has generated significant interest, being the final congress before the next general elections in 2011.

The theme of the two-day congress which is being held at the Diamond Community Centre Ground, East Bank Demerara, is ‘Strengthen the party, secure the nation and accelerate development’.

Like the previous congresses, this year’s event will attract members from the Diaspora, mainly from the Caribbean, but also from the United States of America and Canada.

Evidence has shown that the PPP has increased its membership as more young people graduating from the party youth arm, the Progressive Youth Organisation, become members.

Following are excerpts from some of the prominent and leading members of the PPP who shared their thoughts and expectations of this weekend’s Congress.

PRESIDENT BHARRAT JAGDEO:
‘I think it is a very important congress for our party. I think our congress is a good chance to bring our activists from all across the country to refocus on the task ahead of us and I hope I can use the opportunity of the congress and of the PPP activists being there to brief them about the challenges that we face in this country, the difficulties of managing a country at this time when we have so many international problems - and to leave them with a sense of optimism that the future of this country is bright and is great because within all these problems, there are opportunities.

- President Bharrat Jagdeo
‘Congress is an occasion for comrades to review friendships, make new friends, build camaraderie and exchange experiences. It is an event full of hard work but it is likely to be concluded with a sense of renewed commitment, solid accomplishments and joyous reunions’

And what we are doing now, although we have setbacks from time to time (increase in cost of living, increase in fuel prices and transportation cost) we are working on an underlying plan that will see Guyana basically moving forward.

That is trying to solve the basic problems that we have. Problems with electricity, water, education and health care and creating opportunities and I want to talk extensively about the opportunities of the future - the six new growth areas that I see in ten years that would catapult this country into one of the most dynamic countries in this hemisphere.

I hope that we can have a lot of opportunity at the congress to explore these things and to say to the PPP activists - because we have been saying this all along - that they have a greater responsibility to ensure that we work towards bringing people together.

Our party has always been about bringing people together. We have to work harder to ensure that people unite across race, religion or any superficial differences…to get all of the people of this land to feel part of it and to have a stake in it and then help to move the country forward.

That is the biggest task for our party. It is something that we have always committed ourselves to and I want us to renew that commitment at our congress.

Congress is always a good time to re-acquaint yourself with the activists and sometimes you do not see many of them for a while, to talk to them and to explore frankly in that kind of atmosphere where you are among comrades. You can speak freely and I look forward to that.’

MOSES NAGAMOOTOO:
One of the leading and long standing members of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Moses Nagamootoo would like to see a unity of the leadership of the party emerge from its upcoming congress this weekend.

- Moses Nagamootoo
‘Like previous congresses, this congress will also serve to re-affirm and strengthen that loyalty and commitment to the guiding principles enshrined in the Constitution of the People’s Progressive Party’

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on his expectations of the congress, Nagamootoo said he is hoping that all the processes during the deliberations at the party’s highest decision-making forum would be fair and verifiable.

Having been a member of the party since 1964, Nagamootoo said he is prepared to play a role in the work of the party and to place relevant issues on the agenda, and not to give up privileges and rights associated with being a member of the party.

He recalled that since 1964 he attended all the party’s congresses, except the one prior to this congress which was held in Essequibo.

Nagamootoo explained that he was absent from the Essequibo congress due to some differences which surfaced between himself and the executive of the party.

“My presence was felt non-stop at congresses since 1964, except Essequibo,” Nagamootoo reiterated.

ANIL NANDLALL:
‘This congress is important in many respects. Most importantly, it is expected to invigorate the membership with the inspiration, energy and vigour necessary to set the mood and tone and build the foundation for us to launch into the 2011 general elections.

– Anil Nandlall
‘My presence was felt non-stop at congresses since 1964, except Essequibo’

It will seek to examine the ways and means by which we can improve, develop and perhaps modify the party’s structure and policies to meet the changing nature of the global and local environment to ensure that we continue to better represent the interest of all the people of this country.

The congress will also seek to examine the ways and means by which we can build alliances with all groups that share our vision of building a modern and united Guyana.’

CLEMENT ROHEE:
Chairman of the Congress Committee, Mr. Clement Rohee, said he is looking forward to this 29th Congress emerging with a greater sense of organisational unity within the Party and a clear vision towards 2011.

– Clement Rohee.
‘This congress is important in many respects. Most importantly, it is expected to invigorate the membership with the inspiration, energy and vigour necessary to set the mood and tone and build the foundation for us to launch into the 2011 general elections’

According to him, this congress will show that the party remains a very dominant force in the country, and provides the necessary guidance and leadership to members and supporters.

Rohee also pointed out that Congress is ‘a high-point of party work and party life’, and offers the opportunity to the party’s membership to meet at one central location over a two-day period to engage in meaningful, robust and interactive discussions.

RALPH RAMKARRAN:
‘The 29th Congress of the People’s Progressive Party is an important and significant event in the history of the Party as all other Congresses.

This particular Congress is expected to deal with all the most vital issues facing the Party and the Country. In the first place, there will be a major analysis by the General Secretary of the past period and out of this analysis, the stage will be set for policies to be identified for the period leading to the next Congress in 2011.

– Ralph Ramkarran
‘This congress will show that the party remains a very dominant force in the country, and provides the necessary guidance and leadership to members and supporters’

The President will also give a report focusing on the activities of and challenges facing the Government and the development of the country. Mrs. Janet Jagan will also address the Congress and it is expected that her address will inspire delegates to greater efforts for the future.

Policies for the country in relation to economic development, agricultural production, national security and the delivery of social justice for the people of Guyana, particularly the disadvantaged will be identified.

At the workshops, delegates will have a full opportunity to discuss and debate issues of the widest importance. At the plenary session where the reports on the workshops are discussed, there will be a second opportunity for full discussion and participation in setting policy for the future.

Congress is an occasion for comrades to review friendships, make new friends, build camaraderie and exchange experiences. It is an event full of hard work but it is likely to be concluded with a sense of renewed commitment, solid accomplishments and joyous reunions.

DONALD RAMOTAR:
‘Congresses are like milestones in the life of a party and this one would be no different since it is coming at a time when our country is facing many, many challenges from abroad with the unequal positions of trade and economic crisis impacting on us in Guyana.

In this regard, I would say the congress is being held at a most opportune time when the party can make analysis at the changing global situation and chart a course for us to follow over the next three years until the next congress.

Our congress is coinciding with celebrations of the 170th anniversary of the abolition of slavery, and we in the PPP have always seen ourselves as the continuation of the struggles of slaves in the fight for freedom.’

Ramotar also noted that this year’s congress will review the gains of the party since the last such event in 2005. Among them is the PPP/C’s victory at the 2006 polls which saw the party increasing its majority in the National Assembly.

MRS. JANET JAGAN:
Mrs. Janet Jagan is convinced that, although most of the early members of the PPP are no more, the party supporters still have strong loyalty to the ideals of her late husband - Dr Cheddi Jagan. She noted, too, that each succeeding congress serves to re-affirm and strengthen that loyalty and commitment to the guiding principles enshrined in the Constitution of the People’s Progressive Party.

- Janet Jagan
‘Congresses are like milestones in the life of a party and this one would be no different since it is coming at a time when our country is facing many, many challenges from abroad with the unequal positions of trade and economic crisis impacting on us in Guyana’

Mrs. Jagan also believes this 29th congress will play its part in ensuring that the vision of the founder-leader of the PPP and the ‘Father of the Guyanese nation’ Dr Cheddi Jagan, endured and prevails.

According to Mrs. Jagan her husband believed that there can be no progress in any national endeavour without the people’s sanction and participation, so the concept of people’s progress through linkages was the genesis of the formulation of both the original People’s Progressive Party, and the incorporation of the Civic component in the governmental structure.

Mrs. Jagan, speaking of the support base of the party, said grass-root support is the fundamental strength of the party and have traditionally provided the membership for the party through it’s affiliate women’s and youth arms - The Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) and Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO).

The former President of Guyana also noted that the vibrancy in the party’s youth group serves to ensure longevity. This is demonstrated in the fact that the leadership of the party is culled from the best, brightest and most committed of the young brigade of successive generations.

‘I think it is a very important congress for our party…it is a good chance to bring our activists from all across the country to refocus on the task ahead of us and I hope I can use the opportunity of the congress and of the PPP activists being there to brief them about the challenges that we face in this country, the difficulties of managing a country at this time when we have so many international problems - and to leave them with a sense of optimism that the future of this country is bright and is great because within all these problems, there are opportunities’