THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) said yesterday that though many ‘PPP watchers’ have been seeking to denigrate the activities of the party and rubbish the significance of its upcoming congress, the party is remaining focused on efforts to execute its responsibilities.

Chairman of the National Congress Committee and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said so yesterday on behalf of the party at a Freedom House press conference, Robb Street, Georgetown.
The 30th Congress of the PPP will be on this weekend from August 2 to 4, under the theme, “Strengthen the Party, Build Unity and Advance Democracy”. The venue is the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School at Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice.
Rohee hosted the press briefing along with the party’s Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha.

CENTRAL COMMITTEE REPORT

According to Rohee, preparations for the Congress are almost complete and the final touches to the report from the Central Committee are now being done. This report will be the primary document that will evaluate the work of the party over the last five years since the last PPP Congress at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.
Members of overseas support groups such as the Association of Concerned Guyanese in New York, Canada, Pennsylvania, PPP UK Group in London, Miami, etc, will also participate at the Congress, Rohee informed the media.
He said the Congress would provide ample opportunity for those in attendance to deliberate on various matters of a topical nature, especially during the different workshops that are planned.

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

“The Congress will also touch on many important aspects of the work of the party in parliament, outside, our electoral fortunes, and will point to a strategic direction[in] which the party will go for the next three years,” Rohee said.
Persons who have been supporting the party for 25 and 50 years will also be honoured. “At every Congress, we pay homage to these individuals who have stayed the course with the PPP. It is only natural that we pay our respects and honour those comrades who have stayed with the party and have not deviated in any way.”
Meanwhile, at the Congress, members will exercise their right to express their views internally and make suggestions which will be open for discussion and consideration. There will be discussions on matters that were documented by the Central Committee, after a comprehensive report by the General Secretary, President Donald Ramotar.
On August 2, at 1:00 pm, there will be a public session where reputable persons and the media will be invited for an opening declaration, which will be followed by the official business session of the Congress, involving delegates and observers and will close with the report of the general secretary.
On Saturday, the report of the general secretary will be discussed in six workshops which will also focus on economic, political and government matters along with the international situation.
There will also be a youth forum that will address issues on youth in the party and the young people will also gather to discuss the work and future of the PPP/C. At the end of the sessions, reports will be issued to the plenary for discussions.
On Sunday, there will be discussions on amendments to the constitution and programmes of the party, a political declaration and a democratic election of a new 35-member Central Committee.
A commemorative service would also be held in remembrance of Balram Kandhai, who was shot and killed on the final day of the last Congress held in Berbice.