By Kurt Campbell
[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM) – Youth Arm of the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) – launched its Local Government Election Campaign on Saturday, October 26 with a rally at Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara.
The launch coincides with work the body had 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.
“Our hope is to have 90% of those persons vying for office at the next Local Government Elections.”
“The support and turn out at our rallies alone speaks volumes to the extent to which our youth are willing to get involved” he said, adding that “The turnout at Saturday’s rally surpassed what we anticipated and indicates that young people are energized.”
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.
The Bills are yet to be sent to President Donald Ramotar for his assent. The Opposition Leader and Local Government Minister in the past indicated their confidence that the President will assent.
Today, Jones expressed similar sentiment and said he hopes that the assent will come soon.
However, when questioned on the relevance of the campaign taking into consideration the status of the Bills, Jones said “The bills were passed with the support of the entire house, both Government and Opposition, by virtue of that fact I have no doubt that the President will assent in due time, and when he assents we will be prepared.”
