PNCR-1G MP Winston Murray has officially declared his interest in being his party’s presidential candidate to contest next year’s election.
Murray’s announcement, made publicly in his home town of Leguan on October 3, would see him in the running against retired Brigadier David Granger and MP Basil Williams, who have also indicated their interest.
A statement issued on Murray’s behalf said many members of the PNCR, including senior members, members of civil society and the business community are supporting him as the person to be the party’s candidate. The statement said, “Mr. Murray is confident that his vast experience in the public service and yeoman service to the party-more than thirty years-more than qualified him to be presidential candidate of the PNCR.”
Murray, a former Deputy prime Minister under Desmond Hoyte, was accompanied on his Leguan visit by MPs Aubrey Norton and Mervyn Williams as well as PNCR Central Executive Member Gillian Burton, Eugene Gilbert, Dr Richard Van West-Charles, Priest Mwanza, Mark Walkes, Ronald Austin and others.
Murray and his team have been with members of PNCR groups over the last year in many communities in regions 3,4,6,9 and 10. Speaking with residents at the Henrietta Community Centre Ground, he “gave a detailed account of the results of the mismanagement of the economy by the PPP/Jagdeo administration” and “pointed out that corruption was one of the main reasons for the stagnation of the economy.” He said the people could effect change to the country at next year’s election.
According to the statement, during a five hour walk-about on the island, Murray heard residents describe neglect the island has suffered, particularly in the area of sea defences. “Many residents claimed and were able to prove that the poor and ill-maintained sea defences led to flooding and loss of livestock and consequently income,” it said, noting that the team was also told of sporadic administration visits to the island. “There was no evident concerted plan or effort to deal with the problem of sea defences and to combat flooding. Not unexpectedly, the resident had little time for the proposed airstrip at Leguan.”
The statement said residents made it clear that the money will be better spent on maintaining the sea defence and the focus should be on protecting their crops and livestock and the revitalisation of the rice industry. On rice, they argued that the administration talks more than it acts. The residents, who remembered Murray as a teacher and a cricketer who represented Leguan as an opening batsman, declared support for his bid and wished him well.
Murray served as a teacher in Leguan before entering the Teacher’s Training College and later travelling to the UK, where he attended the London School of Economics. After his studies, he returned to Guyana and entered the government service, and he eventually served as Deputy Prime Minister under late former President Hoyte.
Additionally, his service to the PNCR includes being party Chairman and its spokesman on finance and economics.
In addition to the visit to Leguan, medical outreach programmes were held under Murray’s patronage at the Bayrock Community Centre and the Christianburg Com-munity Centre on October 10. Dr Van West-Charles and a team of doctors examined more than 200 persons who were treated for medical conditions that included diabetes and hypertension. The work of the doctors was supported by volunteer nurses from the area. Meanwhile, on September 26, Murray was the guest of honour at a day of sports for the youth of Region 10. He encouraged them to be disciplined and set clear goals and pursue them.
The youths were involved in softball cricket and circle tennis and the winners were awarded the Winston Murray trophies, the Forbes Burnham memorial trophies and the PNCR trophies.
