Top functionaries call for further strengthening of PPP
TOP functionaries of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) issued a rallying call Wednesday for the further strengthening of the party and the vigorous continuation of the struggle to unify Guyana.

Composite photo shows PPP functionaries and supporters at Wednesday evening’s tribute ceremony at Freedom House for deceased party stalwart Mr. Brindley Benn. (Carl Croker photo)

They made the appeal at the Robb Street, Georgetown, Freedom House headquarters, where an evening of tributes was hosted, in celebration of the life and work of late PPP stalwart, Government Minister and patriot, Mr. Brindley Horatio Benn.

The function was well attended and those present included Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, performing the functions of the Office of President; Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran; PPP General Secretary, Mr. Donald Ramotar; Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee; Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali; Minister of Labour, Mr. Manzoor Nadir; Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Ms. Jennifer Webster; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony; PPP Parliamentarians, Ms. Gail Teixeira, Mrs. Indra Chandarpal and Mr. Moses Nagamootoo as well as PPP founding member, Mr. Ashton Chase and Executive Committee Member, Mr. Navin Chandarpal.

The dead Benn, CCH, father of current Transport and Hydraulics Minister, Mr. Robeson Benn, passed away recently at age 86 and is to be cremated today.

Minister Benn told the gathering that the death of his father marks a point of reflection for party members to reinvigorate the old PPP fighting spirit for social cohesion in forging ahead national development.

He recalled that his father, because of his political beliefs, was forced to live a turbulent life but was always proud of his achievements and will be remembered as a visionary and a champion of the working class.

OBJECTIVE
The Minister said his father never really left the PPP, pointing out that he was involved in the formulation of various political movements with the mere objective of ending the dictatorship Government of the day.

Ramotar said the deceased will be remembered, not only as a patriot but as the man who was part of a team with an articulate vision to make poverty history.

He attested that the late comrade was an individual of great courage and strength of character, who, chaired the party at a difficult time and worked tirelessly to unite both his party and country.

Notably, the senior PPP functionary said, when the late Benn had his disagreements with the party, he never “crossed the floor” and remained loyal to the working people.

Ramotar declared that Benn built the foundation for the development of Guyana and his achievements should inspire all Guyanese in the march for political and economic freedoms.

Mr. Chandarpal said Benn was a forceful, committed and dedicated fighter, who embraced the party’s interest in putting people first.

He also said his passing was unfortunate as it happens on the eve of the party’s 60th anniversary.

Chandarpal challenged the surviving party members to follow the footsteps of their early leaders whose vision was based on reality and represented the needs of the nation.

He posited that, in life, there will always be differences but Benn was a man of principle, who put his country first and it was this elevated level of thinking that saw him return to the PPP to serve after democracy was restored in 1992.

GRATEFUL
Chandarpal, a former Agriculture Minister, contended that the party has much for which to be grateful to Benn, as he laid the foundation for its youth movement.

Chandarpal’s wife, Indra said Benn will be remembered for his role in the development of the party and Guyana’s fight for independence.

She said many leaders have served the PPP with distinction and urged the current ones to maintain and sustain the vision, struggle and commitments of the party for a just and progressive Guyana.

Nagamootoo recalled joining the PPP at the time when Benn was leaving it and remembered him most for his famous quote: “It is easier to stop tomorrow than to stop communism.”

Nagamootoo said Benn had a different view from that of the PPP but its late founder and President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan accommodated debates on it because he believed that, through such a medium, the party will be a far better and stronger unit.

Nagamootoo said it was for that reason Dr. Jagan willingly accepted Benn back into the PPP fold.

PM Hinds said Benn was a forceful leader in the party, who distinguished himself as an elder statesman.

He said Benn, who was influenced by the speeches of Dr. Jagan about the occurrences in the bauxite industry and colonial rule, joined the PPP and became integrally involved in politics.

Subsequently, Benn formed the Pioneer Youth League, a forerunner of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO).

DETENTION
Hinds said Benn’s party campaigning activities led him to New Amsterdam, Berbice in 1953 and his detention after the Constitution was suspended.

On returning to Georgetown in 1956, Benn was elected Chairman of the PPP and Member of the Executive Committee and served as representative of the Essequibo Islands and the Interior.

He was appointed Minister of Community Development and Education when the party contested and won the 1957 elections and it was during that tenure he organised National History and Culture Week (1961 to 1964) under the theme, ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny,’ which later became Guyana’s independence motto.

Benn was named Minister of Agriculture after the PPP contested and won the 1961 General Elections and he established Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) in 1963.

He also had oversight functions for the implementation of the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary (MMA), Boerasirie, Tapacuma and Black Bush Polder agricultural schemes.

Unrest in the early 1960s, led to Benn’s detention by the British and imprisonment at Sibley Hall, Mazaruni Prison, for several months.

Following his release in 1965, Benn formed his own Working People’s Vanguard Party (WPVP) and, in the late 1970s, joined with Dr. Walter Rodney and others to form the Working People’s Alliance (WPA).

Benn returned to the PPP Government in 1992, joining the list of candidates and was later appointed Guyana’s High Commissioner to Canada, from 1993 to 1998, a post he served with distinction.