LOUD cheers were heard last Sunday afternoon when 58-year-old Prince Holder, a rice farmer of Henrietta Village in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), was elected as the new chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Region Two chapter.

The father of seven replaces Leonard Dunbar, who opted not to compete at the Regional District Conference held on Sunday November 25 at the Queenstown community centre.
The elections commenced at 13:00 hours, with party supporters casting their votes for their favourite candidate. Competing for chairmanship for the party was Mark McLean and Prince Holder. Both candidates served the party with distinction in the past. Prince Holder gained 101 votes, while Mark McLean gained 15 votes.

Fitzroy Fredericks was elected Vice-Chairman, while Audrey Garraway remained secretary for the party. Yonette Obermuller was elected Treasurer, while Sherwin Holder was elected as the Central Committee Representative (CCR).

Three committee members were elected. They are: Albrin Shepheard, Shirley Barken and Jacklin Pellew. The returning officer for the election was Aubrey Norton. Minister of Social Cohesion, George Norton was also present at the Regional Conference and congratulated all the members who were elected to serve on the party’s executives. He charged them to do so faithfully in the best interest of residents in the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region.

Immediately after the election, the newly elected chairman pledged his energies to work for the good of the party and Essequibians. He thanked the supporters for having confidence in him and for giving him the opportunity to serve as a leader. Holder, who is a rice farmer, said that “racism” is a huge issue in the region and vowed to work in easing differences that exist amongst the various ethnic groups.

“I will work with the grassroots and ensure that the people interests are met. As leader I will work with all stakeholders to move Region Two forward, I am not just a PNC/R leader I am a ‘people-person’. I represent everyone and as such persons suffering from any issues or problem can reach out to me” Holder said.