–says Figueira’s dissenting pronouncement not party’s position
ALTHOUGH the People’s National Congress-Reform (PNC-R) has constantly claimed to support and promote the interests of Afro-Guyanese, the party’s leader Aubrey Norton has thrown his support behind the call for a boycott of Guyanese-owned businesses within the New York diaspora.

The calls for boycotts originated from Rickford Burke of the Caribbean-Guyana Institute for Democracy (C-GID), and activist Mark Benschop, both of whom are known critics of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
Recently, Benschop in a Facebook Live, said: “This boycott can also stretch all the way to Guyana; I know there are businesses that are feeling the squeeze in Brooklyn.”

Norton, for the first time in weeks, made an appearance at the party’s press conference on Thursday, and when pressed about the matter, said that if Burke and Benschop believe that they could help the “struggle” in Guyana by calling for a boycott, then that is their “right.”

He then levelled allegations of discrimination against the government, such as accusing them of having “trumped up” charges against several opposition members.

However, in April 2023, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the events of the 2020 General and Regional Elections found that there was collusion and collaboration between senior GECOM officials to divert votes to the APNU +AFC instead of safeguarding and preserving the integrity of the electoral system.

Also, after careful scrutiny, the CoI commissioners concluded that there was a conscious and deliberate – even brazen – effort to violate the provisions of section 84(1) of the Representation of the People Act (RoPA).

Furthermore, Norton blatantly disregarded other African organisations and accused them of being “paper African organisations.”
Although the opposition, again, has consistently brought up the topic of discrimination against Afro-Guyanese, Norton did not hesitate to run to Burke and Benschop’s defence, even though the businesses of Afro-Guyanese are at stake.
“…Don’t let us paint Rickford Burke and Mark Benschop as two villains. They are part of a political process,” Norton noted.

‘NOT THE PRONOUNCEMENT OF THE PNC-R’
He was quick, however, to say that the recent statement made by PNC-R member, Jermaine Figueira, on the boycott matter is not the party’s position.

“Though you might be a Member of Parliament or a councillor, if there’s a discussion on the issue within the party and the party takes a position then that’s a party position,” he said.

The PNC-R Leader added: “And so I’m saying to you, there is no harm in Figueira’s [pronouncement]. He has the right as an individual. But his pronouncements are not the pronouncements of the People’s National Congress- Reform.”
Recently, Figueira flayed his party supporters who called for the boycott of Guyanese-owned businesses that engaged and welcomed President Dr Irfaan Ali during his recent visit to New York.

In a letter to the press, Figueira, who is also a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) for the opposition A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), said Dr Ali’s visit to Brooklyn underscores the importance of engaging with diaspora communities and recognising their contributions to national development.

The MP said that it is imperative for fellow Guyanese in the diaspora to reject such a boycott call.
“Boycotting Guyanese businesses, “we own” people in a foreign land is just plain stupid. How is that going to achieve anything good? We have hundreds of foreign-owned supermarkets popping up in every part of Guyana and no Guyanese is calling for a boycott of their businesses, so why the self-hate and intended hurt on ourselves?” Figueira argued.
He posited that there should be advocacy for dialogue and constructive engagement to address all grievances.