By Kurt Campbell
[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM) – Youth Arm of the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) – took its Local Government Election Campaign to New Amsterdam, Berbice Region 6 with a rally at the weekend.
The rally coincides with work the body has been doing in region’s 1, 2, 3,4,5,6 and 10 at the level of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils in the respective regions, according to APNU Parliamentarian Christopher Jones.
During an interview with iNews, Jones said the response from the young people in the regions was forthcoming and very encouraging, more specifically he noted that the turnout at last weekend’s rally had matched previous ones.
Jones said the party is looking to get young persons to fill the offices at the local government level come next elections.
“Our hope is to have 90% of those persons vying for office at the next Local Government Elections, not just walk around and share flyers,” he said, adding that “The support and turn out at our rallies alone speaks volumes to the extent to which our youth are willing to get involved.”
He explained that the work being done by the youth movement is specifically geared towards raising awareness and educating people of the four Local Government Bills passed by the National Assembly on August 7 – the Fiscal Transfer Bill, the Municipal and District Councils (amendment) Bill, the Local Government (amendment) Bill and the Local Government Commission bill.
Addressing the gathering at the weekend were, Opposition Leader David Granger, APNU Members James Bond, Annette Ferguson, Javon Stevens and Christopher Jones.
According to Jones, the campaign will continue in January with two rallies and a youth convention planned for Region Three with the same objective of getting more young people involved.
Meanwhile, The APNU Parliamentarian said he hopes good sense will prevail in having the Local Government Amendment Bill passed in the National Assembly so as to prevent returning to the same situation that currently exist after elections.
The Bill was recently sent back to the House by President Donald Ramotar who explained that it was unconstitutional in his view.
