HUNDREDS of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) members, from Essequibo Islands, Essequibo Coast, Pomeroon and Moruca and Mabaruma in North West District, unanimously endorsed General Secretary Donald Ramotar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2011 elections.
It happened at the first Party County Conference in Cotton Field Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast. Addressing the gathering, President Bharrat Jagdeo urged them to ensure that the PPP remains in office to continue the struggle started by the late Party founder and president, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.
The Head of State said every member who endorses Mr. Ramotar’s candidacy should be involved in active work on the ground to ensure a big victory for the PPP, by acting without complacency.
President Jagdeo also thanked the three other presidential candidates, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, Mr. Clement Rohee and Ms. Gail Teixiera for taking part in the selection process and giving their support to Ramotar.
Mr. Jagdeo mentioned that Ramotar is an economist by training and holds a degree in that discipline.
According to the President, Guyana has the best economy in the Region and there is a need for someone who has the economic vision like Ramotar.
Mr. Jagdeo also told the PPP members that Ramotar is supportive of young people and will give them opportunities, as his vision for Guyana will be driven by curiosity.
Ramotar, in his address, said the decision by the central executive, now agreed to by members, is evidence of a very strong and united party.
He said the PPP Government from 1957 to 1964 saw the transformation of a backward country and when the Party was forced out of office in 1964, it left the nation with good health services and the best economy in the Region.
Ramotar said, on its return in 1992 October, the PPP had to start rebuilding the country and voters in the 2011 elections will have to make a choice between progress and backwardness.
The presidential candidate, speaking about the many developments across the country, cited the hydropower project, a proposed deep water harbour, a road from Lethem and oil exploration as some of the projects that will push the national growth 10 times more.
Ramotar said the PPP has all the conditions to win the election because of what the government has done but warned that the political work on the ground will have to be undertaken to unite the people.
He declared: “We want to see the PPP get a bigger victory at the upcoming general elections because we owe this to our future generation.”
Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud who is a member of the central executive gave an overview of the selection process.
Also present were Chairman of Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Mr. Alli Baksh, Ministers Bheri Ramsaran, Jennifer Westford and Irfaan Ali, Chairman of the PPP New York Group, Mr. Raj Singh and other top party officials in the Essequibo County.