— PNC prepares to celebrate 60 years on

THE People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has sought to remind Guyanese of the integral role it has played in the development of the country, at a time when the social and economic fabric of the society was at an all-time low.
And even as the party prepares to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee in October, it has laid bare its contribution to the leadership, service, fellowship and stewardship to the people of Guyana.
The party will celebrate its anniversary on October 5 under the theme: “United and Strong: Sixty years on.”
At a press conference on Friday to announce the activities, PNC General-Secretary and Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally, said under the government of the PNC administrations between 1964 and 1992, Guyana experienced not only a significant political and constitutional advancement, but “an unprecedented nation-building efforts [sic] in every aspect of human endeavor.”
She said when the PNC entered office in 1964, the country was a broken nation.
“After losing the elections, Dr. Jagan refused to demit office as premier. He had to be removed via an Order-in-Council by the British Crown. This behaviour was preceded while Dr. Jagan was premier by violence, racial strife, labour disputes, and ideological polarisation; and Dr. Jagan left the treasury bare!” Ally said.
According to her, the priority policy objectives made clear by Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and the PNC included healing the racial wounds; reconciliation and peace; structured national and economic and social development; and working towards political independence.

In these, she said, the political party was successful. She said the PNC government also had a “tremendous track record.” She said the physical, educational, economic, cultural and political infrastructures of Guyana were built between 1964 and 1975.
All of the major housing schemes, arterial roads, drainage and irrigation schemes were built while the PNC was in government, she relayed.
Speaking more of the developments under the PNC government, Ally highlighted the establishment of several financial and defence institutions, including the Bank of Guyana, the Guyana National Cooperative Bank, the Guyana Agricultural and Industrial Development Bank and the Guyana State Corporation, the National Insurance Scheme, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Youth Corps, the Guyana National Service and the Guyana People’s Militia to guard and defend the new nation’s territorial integrity.
In education and culture, the party saw the construction of a new teacher’s training college, the University of Guyana campus at Turkeyen, technical institutions in New Amsterdam and Georgetown and multilateral schools along the coast.

In housing, she said potable water supply, sea and river defences and drainage and irrigation projects were also a major priority. For social and cultural development, Ally said the PNFC government introduced free education from nursery to university.
She said many cultural institutions and activities were inaugurated, including the Guyana Festival of Arts (Guyfesta), the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA), the National School of Dance, the Burrows School of Arts and the National Cultural Centre.
At the regional and international levels, Ally said Guyana became recognised for its leadership role in every international forum where it had membership.
“In our Caribbean Region, Guyana under the PNC government was one of the pioneers for the establishment of CARIFTA, the forerunner of the present Caribbean Community. Prime Minister Burnham was one of the four founding fathers who were the original signatories to the 1973 Treaty of Chaguaramas which established the Caribbean Community and Common Market,” she said.

Ally said this year’s observance of the party’s Diamond Jubilee is a season for celebration and reflection. A number of activities have been planned for both the national and regional levels of the party. On Thursday, October 5, a flag-raising ceremony will be held at the party’s headquarters at Congress Place, Sophia. On Saturday, October 7, a special congress will be held at the National Cultural Centre.