PEOPLE’S Progressive Party (PPP) executive, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo, has called out the opposition on their use of “trickery” at every turn not just to garner support for themselves, but also humiliate the government into the bargain.

Speaking Friday at the opening of the PPP’s 30th Congress, Dr Mahadeo, who is the Party’s First Secretary for Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), said:
“Many have said that Berbice is the heartland of the PPP; there is more than a grain of truth in that observation! Perhaps that is the reason why every fly-by-night political organization that comes up, pays special attention to Berbice, seeking to weaken and replace the PPP’s strong historic influence and support in this area.”
Earlier in his address, he made it a point of telling those in the audience who didn’t know that it was right there in Port Mourant, where the Congress is being held at the JC Chandisingh Secondary School, that Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Founder-Leader of the PPP was born.
He then went on to list the many historical landmarks in the freedom struggle for which Berbice is famous, among them the birth of the first slave revolt at Highbury, where also the first immigrants from India set foot on these shores; Canje, where sugar workers were murdered in colonial times for their struggle; and Number 63 Village, where PPP supporters were brutally murdered while attempting to prevent the seizure of Ballot Boxes by armed forces.
He also listed as among other distinctive features of the Region, the fact that the County of Berbice is not only the second largest, geographically, in Guyana, but also boasts the second largest population.
Economically, he said, Region Six is agriculturally-based, with sugar and rice production being primary industries; livestock rearing, fishing and cash crop activities. Besides sugar and rice, he also included in the industrial sector bauxite, mining, saw milling and a few other enterprises. Workers and farmers, noted Dr. Mahadeo, make up the bulk of Region Six’s population, as well as a thriving, sizable business community.
Turning his attention to the purpose of the meet, Dr Mahadeo, who was tasked with Congress preparations, said, “Congresses, as you know, are milestones in the life of any Party. With this in mind, our Local Congress Committee, together with the National Congress Committee, has worked hard to ensure that the physical preparations and conditions are conducive for fruitful discussions.”
Recalling the 27th Congress that had been held at that very location, he reminded the gathering “…that Congress was violently attacked by terrorists, obviously with a political agenda.
“Today Cdes, we remember that violent night when our comrade from Essequibo was cold-bloodedly murdered and others injured. Although it disturbed our peace of mind, it also strengthened our desire to defeat such terrorists! That attack did not stop our Congress, nor did it disrupt our work in the interest of our nation and people.”
He continued, “Our Region has certain distinctive features ….. Roughly a mile from where we are meeting, is the birth place of Cde Cheddi Jagan, main founder of the PPP and the Father of the Nation.
“Roughly a mile away is Babu John and a Shrine dedicated to the memory of Dr. Jagan, and also his spouse, Mrs. Janet Jagan, who in her own right has a place in our Party’s history, as well a place in the nation’s history. We also have the monument dedicated to the Ballot Box Martyrs, ~ twenty five miles away. You are all invited to visit these sites and take a piece of Berbice back with you, in your hearts, if the tight agenda of Congress allows.”
He remarked that under the PPP/C government, Berbice has come out of the period of decline, stagnation and discriminatory practices that it inherited. He listed some signs of development, which he said are visible everywhere, naming the Berbice River Bridge and the University.
“… there are better roads and streets. social services and amenities like water, education, health and electricity services are improving. There is vibrancy in the business community and generally life has improved qualitatively.
“This is a significant year for Guyana and for the PPP– significant in many ways. This year we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the WPO, 61st anniversary of the PYO and 63rd anniversary of the PPP.
“In this significant year, we are hosting the 30th Congress of the Peoples Progressive Party! The Party of the Working Class, the Party of Heroes, the Party of great Berbicians, the Late Budhram Mahadeo, Carl Douglas, Muntaz Ally, Pyare Lall, Molai, Ramcharran and Ramgahan and, of course, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.”
He iterated that the PPP, in its great history, has stood by the masses in good times and under adverse conditions, and has led the nation to one victory after another.
“As members of the PPP,” noted Dr. Mahadeo, “we have been schooled in the Political and Ideological teachings of Comrade Cheddi Jagan and other leaders. His vision to politically transform our Guyanese society to a socially and economically just one is still relevant and one which our Congress, I am sure, will uphold— we can do no less. Comrades, together we can give life to the ideals that guided our party thus far. Together we can make the dream of Dr. Jagan for socio-economic changes come true!”
He opined that the APNU and the AFC are both predators bearing different names, trying to “…devour the Hydroelectricity project, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport project, the Specialty Hospital and especially the poor and vulnerable; significant are the joint opposition’s vicious attacks on workers of our beloved Guyana.”
In closing, he urged, “Comrades, the Place is here in Berbice! Comrades, the Time is NOW! This 30th Congress marks the time when we begin the fight to take back Parliament! Let us ‘Strengthen the Party, Build Unity, and Advance Democracy.”