People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) leader David Granger has had “long and detailed talks” with Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon to address the growing disenfranchisement among supporters in the region.
Granger said he has addressed the issues with Solomon and they were working towards a resolution.
There has been a rift between the PNCR and key Linden members since 2012. There was a showdown between the two sides during a meeting at the Mackenzie High School last October, where some party members were locked out on the order of party coordinator for the region Sandra Adams. The incident raised more questions about the party’s standing in one of its traditional strongholds.
Solomon subsequently reached out to Granger via a letter to voice some of the concerns on behalf of members in the region. He had also asked Granger for a meeting to resolve some of the ongoing issues.
One of the key issues mentioned in Solomon’s letter to Granger was the unhappiness in the region over how Adams was appointed and her attitude towards them. Since her appointment last year, tension has developed among PNCR members in Region 10 as some claim that not only was Adams forced on them as coordinator but they are being stymied and previous works were abandoned.
Granger told Stabroek News that it was too soon to say if any resolution would involve the removal of Adams as the party coordinator for the region. He stated that Adams appointment was made by the Central Executive Committee and it was lawful.
While Adams’ appointment may have been lawful, Region 10 supporters have repeatedly voiced their concerns and have stated that they felt the centralised way the party operates is side-lining input from the region.
Granger admitted that he was concerned and added that as the leader of the opposition he would need to ensure that all the regions and constituencies were cohesively working together for an electoral victory.
Following the meeting with Solomon, Granger said he remains confident that the people of Region 10 will respect that Adams’ appointment was done utilising the strong institutional boundaries within which the PNCR works. He noted that the vastness of Region 10 gets lost when more disgruntled party members voice their options.
Solomon, meanwhile, said he was very pleased to hear that Granger has opened up about the various concerns raised by Region 10’s PNCR members. “I am encouraged that Mr Granger said that all is going well with the talks because it showcases that the leadership of the party is prepared to recognise the importance of the issues raised and is prepared to act,” he stated.
Solomon added that the most important issue remains that Region 10 PNCR members are capable of choosing their own leadership and should be given the opportunity to do so.
“I believe issues we outlined are fundamental and have to be dealt with… such as allowing members to identify their leaders and allowing the party constitution to work,” Solomon had previously told this publication.
Many disgruntled Linden members have long stated that the right to choose their leaders was necessary to build cohesion and that while Adams appointment was legal it may not have been the best choice.
