– PNCR chairperson

CRIME and corruption in Guyana have been on the decline for the past four years, chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Volda Lawrence, said as she lauded the work of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government.

PNCR forms a major part of the APNU. On Saturday, when it hosted its first General Council Meeting for 2019 at the party’s headquarters, Congress Place, Sophia, Lawrence, in the presence of leader of the PNCR, President David Granger, said the government has made major strides in addressing crime and corruption – two social ills that had ravaged the country under the past People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government.

“We have worked effectively for the past four years to reduce crime and corruption. In this period, extra-judicial killings have vanished, the sale of illegal drugs is being addressed; health care, education and social services have significantly improved and we have dealt congenially with the public. We have been honest, reliable and efficient and have willingly worked the long hours needed to advance the economy, develop and move the country forward and improve the lives of the masses,” she said.

Last January, Guyana was listed by Transparency International as one of 20 countries that have significantly improved its rating in the fight against corruption in the past seven years.
“In the last seven years, only 20 countries significantly improved their CPI scores. These include Estonia, Senegal, Guyana and Côte D’Ivoire,” the 2018 Corruption Perception Index report stated. Guyana now stands with a score of 37 and is ranked at 93 out of the 180 countries. Last year Guyana scored 38 points and was ranked at 91, while in 2017 it scored 34. In 2015 when the coalition government took office, Guyana was ranked at 119 with a score of 29 while in 2014, 2013 and 2012 it scored 30, 27 and 28 respectively, which placed it in the category of corrupt countries.

SPREAD THE WORD

Lawrence called on all the party leaders and groups to inform their constituents of the progress of the government, the value of its policies and their positive impact on the various communities across the country.

The PNCR chairman, who chaired the General Council, reminded the council that within days of President Granger’s return from Cuba, he addressed the nation and reiterated the government’s respect for the Constitution.

“The Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is the country’s supreme law… your government is committed to upholding the Constitution unreservedly,” Lawrence said as she quoted President Granger.

That statement, she pointed out, was followed by the resignation of Members of Parliament (MPs) with dual citizenship; the reassignment of four ministers and the announcement four new Members of Parliament.

The chairman congratulated the new MPs and thanked the former Ministers for their service to Guyana.

“Comrades, we must not forget their many significant contributions and hard work provided as ministers of the David Granger government. We do thank them and look forward to working with them, be it in other areas,” she told those seated in Congress Place.
In her report to the General Council, Party General Secretary (GS), Amna Ally brought the council up-to-date on the state of the party and the work of the party’s secretariat over the last quarter. She noted that the period under review was a very active one for the PNCR and reminded members that the year ahead was going to be extremely active as the Party prepares for the General and Regional Elections. The general secretary assured the council that the party was ready for elections at any time.

General Secretary of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Joseph Harmon, briefed the General Council on the coalition’s preparations for the upcoming General and Regional Elections. Harmon warned that these elections were not going to be a ‘cake-walk’ and urged members to continue mobilising and organising at the group, district and regional level to ensure victory.