Latest update April 3rd, 2026 12:35 AM
PNC/R second General Economy…‘ We are doing everything to keep Guysuco alive’ – President
The state of the Guyana Sugar Industry, Social Cohesion and the Environment were on the agenda for the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) as the party held its second General Council Meeting for the year 2017.
Sugar workers have been protesting closure of the estate.
General Council which was held under the theme “PNCR – Vanguard of a Green Economy” convened at the Party’s Headquarters, Congress Place, Sophia.
The meeting was chaired by the Party Chairman, Basil Williams, S.C. M.P.
The Chairman reminded that as a governing Party, “We have been given the mandate to take the nation forward and General Council has the opportunity to discuss how we (the PNCR) are going to do this.”
He told delegates that the Coalition was committed to putting the country first, engage in good governance, and a return to rule of law.
The Chairman urged Party members to enhance their contact with the Guyanese people in all communities and to continue to work to bridge the coastland and hinterland divide.
A minute of silence was observed for Party members who had passed away in the period between General Councils.
The feature address was given by David Granger, Leader of the PNCR and President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
In an address that covered a wide array of issues, Brigadier Granger touched on
Guyana Sugar Corporation, (Guysuco), the environment and social cohesion.
Brigadier Granger said that the sugar industry in Guyana as currently configured is not sustainable.
“We are not shutting down GuySuCo, we are consolidating; we are going to make the sugar industry more muscular, more robust. We will do everything to keep GuySuCo alive. We want to save sugar workers’ jobs.”
The Party leader told the General Council that diversification of the economy was imperative. “We have to diversify. We have to produce new commodities. We cannot continue to rely on the ‘six sisters’, (Sugar, rice, timber, bauxite, gold and diamonds).”
Brigadier Granger said that he was impressed with many of the items that he had seen at recent Regional Trade Fairs and called for better marketing and packaging of locally produced products.
Touching on the environment, Brigadier Granger iterated that the PNCR was committed to a green economy.
“Global warming is no joke. We have to protect the environment. Miners must conduct their business in a responsible way; some miners are reckless and we have to put an end to that.”
Granger, who is the President and Party leader told the General Council that regions had a role to play in the protection of the environment. “Every region must have a protected area. We have to protect the environment so that our children can see and enjoy this beautiful and bountiful country we have inherited.”
Brigadier Granger also noted that social cohesion was about national unity and it was included in the objects of the PNCR.
“We have a responsibility to make sure that programmes are promoted to achieve cultural awareness and cohesion. We will extend recognition to every ethnic group in Guyana. We will treat our citizens with respect wherever they live…we are not going to discriminate based on geography or political affiliation.”
The General Council concluded with a summation and charge which was given by Party Leader and President Granger.
General Council is the second highest decision-making forum of the PNCR.
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