(Part of a Tribute to Fazal Ally by President Bharrat Jagdeo during a celebration of Fazal’s life at Freedom House)
On Thursday December 23 (2002), at about 6 p.m., our Party lost a warrior and the farmers lost their strongest advocate.

We all lost a friend and comrade: Maxim and Karmal and Mitra, a loving father and husband.

President Jagdeo meeting with Fazal and a delegation of farmers mere hours before his accidental death. Then Agriculture Minister, Pt. Reepu Daman Persaud, is seen standing at second left

Guyana is poorer by this death. Today we pay final tribute to our departed Comrade – a Comrade who grew up in and was fiercely loyal to the PPP. He was never afraid to take up the challenge in service of his Party, even when this personally endangered him. He was a Comrade who had dedicated his life to the struggle of farmers and working people. Fazal Ally, or “Faz”, as he was affectionately known to us, left us through tragic circumstances.

His untimely death has brought shock and grief to all of us. He was only 45 years old, but in such a short time, Fazal managed to achieve a lot.

He served at the highest levels of the PYO and PPP and, at 38 years old, became a Member of Parliament. He was the General-Secretary of the Rice Producers’ Association and served on the Board of Directors in a number of institutions, including the GRBD and GNCB and was the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Regional Representative.

And what is impressive is that he started at the grass roots and worked his way to the top.

We honour you today, Fazal, for giving over 30 of your 45 years in service of the Guyanese people through the PPP. His death comes at a time when efforts are being made to address new challenges in the rice industry. Fazal Ally was at the centre of these efforts and programmes.

His comprehensive and realistic understanding of the rice sector and socio-economic situation of our country, along with his steadfast dedication, were necessary assets to these efforts.

It was only about 48 hours before his tragic death that the General Council of the RPA, led by Fazal, met with me to discuss current issues affecting the rice industry.

We were able to agree on a number of relief measures following Fazal’s convincing presentation of his case. Little did I know that the meeting would be my last such encounter with my Comrade, for he was so full of life, so vibrant and so ready to take on the next task in an unselfish way.

Across this nation, many can confirm that when Fazal gets up to speak at seminars or in Parliament, or at his favourite ballet grounds – the street corners and the rice fields, he would electrify the atmosphere with his energetic presentations.

Comrades Janet, Feroze, Ralph and Donald, and many others, can share countless anecdotes testifying to his loyalty, courage, skills as an activist, and strong advocacy for justice.

He served as a volunteer in the Rate Payers and Tenants Association and Rice Producers Association and, through his close friend Komal Chand, he was enlisted as a Field Representative, first on the Wales Estate, and later the LBI and Ogle Estates.

It was during his stint at GAWU that Fazal honed his skill as an organiser and an agitator for justice. He often spoke about knowledge that the late Comrade Ramkarran imparted to him.

In 1984, Fazal was called upon to serve in the RPA. He rose through the ranks and was later elected General-Secretary. The leadership Fazal has offered to the RPA has made it more visible and dynamic.

The name Fazal Ally became synonymous with the RPA. At the time of his death, Fazal was overseeing the modernisation and expansion of services and capabilities of the RPA. He was constantly seeking to enhance the RPA’s capability to represent farmers’ concerns more effectively.

As a special tribute to him, we must all pledge to continue to make this organisation stronger. This is what Fazal would have desired.

Many were awed at Fazal’s abilities to mobilise farmers in the fields, in front of mills, and anywhere they were needed, to advance their cause.

One of these activities, a picketing exercise for paddy bags and twine, outside of the Office of the President in the 1980s, led to his arrest and detention.

Fazal’s office also became a centre for poor farmers seeking legal representation or advice. He was among the first to have highlighted the plight of Sophia squatters, the street vendors and farmers, and vendors from outside of Georgetown.

He was truly a people’s representative and an activist for justice.

His loyalty and service to the PPP are unmatched. Fazal served in the Party’s District and Regional Committees. In 1981 he was elected to the Central Committee of the PPP.

It was that same year that his wife Mitra was also elected to that body. Fazal also served on the Executive Committee and the Secretariat of the PPP and was part of the crucial deliberations and important decisions taken.

In 1982, at the age of 38, he became a Member of Parliament and served in the National Assembly as a PPP/Civic M.P. until his death.

During the Budget debates I have always looked forward to Fazal’s fiery and punchy contributions that would grip the attention of all those in the House.

Fazal’s style of presentation, in and out of Parliament, was inimitable and undoubtedly effective.

It was only last weekend at the PPP Central Committee Meeting that those present were impressed by his strong and convincing presentation on behalf of small farmers.

For those who attended the meeting the address in typical ‘Fazilian’ style will perhaps remain with us for the rest of our lives.

Today I salute a brave and determined fighter for the RPA and the PPP. He was the man who gave me courage and needed advice for my first public meeting at Aurora on the Essequibo Coast. Fazal has left us all with fond memories and a legacy that we must all work to preserve.