Georgetown : The first PNCR General Council for 2013, which was held on Saturday 23
rd March, was primarily dedicated to the critical issues that must be confronted for the holding of Local Government Elections under a Reformed Local Government System.
Party Chaorman Mr. Basil Williams recounted the activities of the Party since the last General Council and exhorted the Party to remain vibrant and proactive. This was followed by the Report of the General Secretary, delivered by the General Secretary (Ag.), Ms Amna Ally, MP, who, as in now our usual practice, recounted the Names of Party members who died since the last General Council and asked for a minute of silence to be observed. Ms Ally reported on the state of the Party and the activities undertaken since the last General Council.
The Feature Address was delivered by the Party Leader, David Granger, who dealt with priority issues for the Party, including the challenges of National Registration, national and personal security, crime and criminality. He also explained the challenges faced by the National Assembly in the effort to hold the Executive accountable to the nation, through their representatives in the National Assembly. In addition, he discussed the forthcoming National Budget and the issues of abject poverty and high levels of unemployment, particularly among young people, which must be addressed. He pointed out the problems in the education system, particularly the high school drop-out rate. The Leader expressed the solidarity of the Party with the Indigenous people whose communities are facing environmental challenges from the effects of mining.
The highlight of this General Council was the panel discussion which dealt with the issues relevant for the holding of Local Government Elections under a Reformed Local Government System, such as:
1. The new Electoral System;2. The Demarcation of NDC, Municipality and constituency boundaries;3. Preparations necessary for the conduct of elections within the NDCs and Municipalities; and4. Party mobilization for the holding of Local Government Elections.
General Council was then configured into nine (9) Regional Workshops which discussed a number of detailed matters which need to be confronted for the holding of Local Government Elections. Each Workshop afterwards reported to the Plenary.
As is usual for General Council, there was an extended period of lively and incisive discussion in Plenary. This was followed by the Charge and Closing Remarks by the Leader who adumbrated the challenges from the commitment of the Party for the achievement of Inclusionary Democracy in Guyana.
