By Ariana Gordon

AS the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) gears up for its 19th Biennial Delegates’ Congress, President David Granger will head into the conference unchallenged for the position of leader of that 59-year-old party.Other persons nominated for key posts include current Chairman Basil Williams, former leader of the party Robert Corbin, Volda Lawrence and Lurlene Nestor for Chairman.

Williams told reporters at the party’s first press conference in over one year on Wednesday that he is ready to compete against the other nominees but noted that there is a possibility that he may be beaten by former leader of the party, Robert Corbin. Corbin had in the past said he is not interested in returning to serve on the executive of the party or in any public post. He has since been quoted in another section of the media saying that he is not interested in the nomination.

The nominations for Vice Chairman include Lawrence, Dr George Norton, Joseph Harmon, Aubrey Norton, James Bond, Dawn Hastings, Christopher Jones, Winston Felix, Beni Raymond, and Clement Corlette. Ronald Bulkan, Larry London and Annette Ferguson have been nominated to serve as treasurer.

However, London has made it clear that he is not interested in the post. Nominees have until August 24 to confirm whether they are competing for the posts nominated for. There were 73 nominations for the members of the Central Executive Committee.

Meanwhile, the party chairman said the Biennial Delegates’ Congress will be held under the theme “PNCR-Vanguard of a Green Economy” in keeping with President Granger’s push for a green Guyana.

“As the largest mass-based party in Guyana and the largest partner in the coalition, APNU+AFC Administration, the People’s National Congress Reform will lead and show leadership as we work towards achieving the goal of a Green Guyana,” said Williams.

Over 500 delegates and several hundred observers from all ten administrative regions of the country; the North America Region; and the United Kingdom are expected to attend the Congress.

The party said it is proud to have entered government as part of a coalition administration in December 1964, while noting that it was the PNC on Independence Day 1966 that “embarked on the task of transforming a deeply divided colony into the united Independent State of Guyana.”

“Congress is a working session. For us it is not a period of jubilation but rather two days of hard work, where we not only examine the state of the Party but make plans for the economic and social development of the nation,” the party chairman added.

Williams announced that President Granger will deliver the keynote address to the Congress on Friday August 26 and thereafter deliberations will be made on matters of policy. The following day Oscar Clarke, General Secretary is expected to report on the work of the party. His report will be followed by two working sessions. On the final day of the Congress, delegates will vote for a Party Leader, Chairman, two Vice Chairmen, Treasurer and fifteen other members who will become the elected members of the Central Executive Committee of the PNCR.

When asked to speak about security of those attending the Congress next week, Williams assured that measures are in place to ensure that all persons at the event are safe. At the party’s 18th Delegates Congress pandemonium broke as gun shots were fired causing supporters and delegates to run for cover. That matter was investigated by the police.

“Democracy has its negatives in it—we are a democratic party, it is unfortunate that our democracy was abused–we can assure you that there won’t be a repeat of that…the arrangements that we are putting in place – any gridlock in terms of administrative, accreditation–we have them under control. You really can’t predict what is in a man or woman’s mind,” said Williams.

Article 7.2 of our Party’s Constitution requires that the party have a Biennial Delegates’ Congress every two years.

Meanwhile, infrastructural works are underway to the main entrance to Congress Place, Sophia and within the party’s compound but the party’s General Secretary maintained that work was scheduled to be done since January but due to inclement weather it was pushed back. “Works are not being undertaken because of Congress, these works were scheduled to be done earlier in the year but the imminent holding of the congress we better try to get some work done…” Clarke assured reporters that the project is not funded by the state.