By Leroy Smith
Delegates at a recently concluded Regional Congress of the People’s National Congress Reform in Bartica are calling on the executives of the Party to take a firm grip on developments taking place in the coalition government especially as it relates to the conduct of the Alliance For Change (AFC) faction within the coalition.
During the congress, which was held on Saturday, November 25, in Bartica, the delegates made reference to what it termed as the many “dodges” which the AFC has been engaged in over the last few months by way of public statements.
In the presence of PNCR Executive, Joseph Harmon, who is also the country’s State Minister, the delegates urged the executives to take a firm approach in dealing with the AFC and to ensure that a very strong team is put together to review the Cummingsburg Accord which is up for discussion in the first quarter of 2018.
Just last week, the AFC called for a review of the Cummingsburg Accord and PNC/R Leader, David Granger reminded that there will only be a review of the accord at the scheduled time, that is after a three-year period has passed.
The delegates also expressed dissatisfaction that the AFC has been given more than what is catered for in the agreement. They are of the view that the AFC is now attempting to force the PNC/R to give more to the AFC. They made it clear that they are not prepared to have their leaders bullied.
GRANGER FOR 2020
Meanwhile, the delegates, mainly from the Good Life PNCR group, passed a resolution for Granger to return as the Presidential Candidate at the 2020 General and Regional Elections. They believe that the AFC may want to present their own Presidential Candidate after the Accord is reviewed.
The Cummingsburg Accord gives to the AFC four senior ministerial positions but at the moment the party, at the discretion of President Granger, now enjoys six senior ministerial portfolios.
Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes who is also a member of the Good Life Group, was present at the event and encouraged party supporters to remain firm in their unity to keep the APNU in government and never cease in their support of the party’s leader, David Granger.
Meanwhile, Harmon who was invited to the region to deliver the feature address reminded that the party remains strong and can only get stronger if its members rally around their leader and continue to show their unconditional support for his policies and initiatives to develop Guyana.
Harmon told the comrades that all their concerns would be communicated to the wider executive of the party with a view of coming to an agreement on the many concerns and issues raised, including the Cummingsburg Accord.
