Dear Editor,
I write to congratulate the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) on the occasion of its 18th Biennial Congress. The PNCR continues to stand out as the most democratic political entity in current day Guyana, and for this the members and leadership must be proud. We must be honoured to be associated with a political organization that continues to take action to ensure that it subscribes to modern-day democratic principles and remain relevant to the people of Guyana.
As a political institution, we can boast of having one of the most highly scrutinized, representative and fair election and voting processes in Guyana. These actions and changes, however, did not take place by themselves but were initiated by our dedicated, talented and thoughtful members who continue to seek ways as to how we can continue to improve the party in order that the PNCR remains the premier political organization in Guyana. We are cognizant that, even though we have achieved much in the PNCR, there is still room for improvement in our party. As members we will, therefore, not relent on our mission to improve and promote a party that the founders worked so hard to build. We remain encouraged by their resilience, courage, foresight, and desire to create a model and relevant political entity. It is, therefore, the task of those of us who are members today, to ensure that we continue to recognize the tremendous sacrifice the forerunners made to build the PNC/PNCR.
We must, therefore, work assiduously to ensure that the cost borne by those who struck the first nail to build the party, does not go in vain.
The PNCR, from its inception, has encountered many challenges and crossed many hurdles. The party’s history will remind us that Founder Leader LFS Burnham and his team experienced many conflicts, both internal and external, but the steadfastness, resilience, tactfulness, determination and love for party and country by both members and leaders were strong enough to prevail over those challenges and thus take the party to greater heights. Today, some of those challenges are still with us and we continue to overcome them as we constantly look for inspiration and direction from the founders. There is no doubt, that over the years the party has evolved and continues to defy the PPP/C and its sceptics, whose only desire is for the PNCR to self-destruct, or to be wished away. We have seen the many attempts by the Guyana Chronicle and other mouthpieces of the PPP/C raise many false alarms in the media, in an attempt to promote instability in the PNCR and to demonize normal internal party issues. As members we must continue to be vigilant and be quick to recognize the overtures of these detractors and confront them swiftly. We must remain committed to our mission to pursue betterment for the people of Guyana and refuse to be side-tracked.
At this 18th Biennial congress let us remain focused on the issues that matter to the people of Guyana; let us make our call for local government elections reverberate throughout the halls of Congress Place until the powers that be at Freedom House buckle on this issue. Let us examine the Finance Minister’s continued abuse of state funds; let us examine the state of joblessness among our youth and the decline of moral values in the society; let us discuss the politicization of the Georgetown City Council by the PPP/C administration; let us further expose the PPP/C’s political agenda behind the anti-money laundering bill; let us take time out to examine the state of the Guyanese child, and the role of the Ministries of Education, and Social Services; let us examine the state of crime and security in Guyana and decide whether it is time to make the no-confidence motion against Clement Rohee take immediate effect. My comrades, there are many issues we must discuss and resolve to act on, at this congress. The PNCR must continue to be the leader in Guyanese politics; the people look to us for leadership, guidance and hope, and we must not disappoint them. We have evolved over the years and are closer to helping the people achieve a truly national government. As we go forward let us continue to inspire our people to believe that Guyana is indeed a beautiful country yearning for good governance, and that governance we have an obligation to provide. I salute the leaders of our party; I salute the hard-working and dedicated members of the PNCR; I salute the wonderful people of Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
Lurlene Nestor