Today’s PNC War Room, PPP situation room – panic?

-Afro dot.com generation: available land

Congress Place did not convene a big general War-Room session for weeks. That’s because the smaller inner caucuses were summoned to ramp up country-wide campaign strategies after the announcement of the polling date by His Excellency.

Inner caucus planned and executed all those “outreaches,” all those “anniversary” presentations, all those special presidential appearances, all those community development projects and donations.

But now His Excellency the leader decided that it was appropriate to have the entire PNC War Room review and ramp up – even more relentlessly. Here is a summary of deliberations. (You decide whether these notes are factual. Or creative.)

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War Room raves, regrets, decisions

PNC Leader His Excellency exuded supreme confidence as he inspired those for work done so far. Successfully, it seemed! He telegraphed his own confidence to all in the room. Especially the operations-and-implementation department.

“From this season of PNC goodwill through Old Years/New Years to our grand national Republic Jubilee/Mashramani 2020 pre-election bash, we must focus and utilize all national events and celebrations to promote the vote for us,” the leader intoned. “Our confidence also requires a little strategic confidentiality at times. That’s why recourse to the inner caucus when appropriate. So where are we today?”

First on the agenda was the elections body GECOM. Smiles and some laughs shone through when the leader asserted that: “Ably supported by her CEO, Officer Lowenfield, Jagdeo’s choice, Judge Singh the chairperson has been excellent in her stewardship so far. No further comment! Ha ha!

Among other urgent items: *The executive’s decision on Alliance For Change (AFC) – continue to “carry” them to demonstrate social, cohesive, political solidarity/diversity – or just ditch them? Item for inner caucus and decision within days. *Increases for public servants pensioners – to be announced by Winston before Dec 25; *Strategies to secure the Amerindian vote – subtle doubts planted about Shuman; *Cde GS, Amna to up campaign amongst PPP women constituencies – she was just great pointing out Jagdeo/Alli hypocrisies. *Ramping up diaspora support and funding *Use of social media on track *Christopher Jones is both overt and subtle; he attributes even beautiful “peaceful sunsets” to the Coalition’s work.

*Relationships with the ABC-EU states have to be well-managed during this period. *The reaction of two of them to first oil and their hints to the party will be discussed at the inner caucus at this time. *All systems are go even as the Leader monitors his health daily.

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PPP Situation R: concern, no panic

Dr Jagdeo and Dr Ali had a dramatic start staged for the beginning of this Situation Room session. Not their doing!

A worked-up trenchant but loyalist Comrade Ally now in his mid-forties demanded that Dr Irfaan be withdrawn as the party’s presidential candidate. Cde Ally declared that even though Cde Bharrat was hiding him, he speaks “nonsense” when he does “open he mouth.” The dissident comrade says that “on the ground the comrades prefer either Cde Nandlall, Cde Anthony or Dr Vindhya – along with the brigadier.”

Dr Bharrat used both skill and bullyism to quell any debate. Comrade Ally was suspended.

A second thorny issue was the likely impact of the new parties – how to deal with them – welcome? Or robust criticism? Senior comrades advised strategic caution. Cde Donald however, as the party’s premier campaign letter-writer, suggested “exposing their leaders’ “shady” personalities.” Comrade Donald agreed that there was no need for panic just because the government was “looking good.” “We have tricks up our sleeves.”

The immediate resuscitation of the old dirty tricks department was agreed upon: *Relentlessly revealing/analyzing government’s blunders with oil agreements, agriculture, mining and the police/crime situation. *Dr Irfaan, Indra and Gail must increase work amongst dismissed sugar-workers, UG students and new 18/19-years-old. *The contracted American lobbyists – partially funded by diaspora comrades – have made solid suggestions about dealing with the foreign entities and GECOM. But those were referred to the inner caucus. That session was adjourned.

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Back to the land Afro-Guyanese?

These “happenings” motivated this piece right here – relevant to today’s Afro-Guyanese relationship to land. History, acquisition, ownership and use. Especially large-scale use.

The happenings are: (1) appearance on my 21-year-old TV show (CNS TV6) by Mr Kirk Hollingsworth last year sometime. He was then promoting a “Green Economy” Small Business Summit and was then an “African Business Roundtable” exec.

Then very recently a Ghanaian rep of an oil-and-gas outfit appeared and mentioned a veteran Guyanese Agriculturist Dr Arlington Chesney. Also, I bought two copies of the PPP’s Mirror newspaper. An October 26-27 edition carried a piece announcing “Massive transfers of state lands” along the Demerara River to “favoured” folks. As well as “massive tracts” in Linden to a named minister. Then there was the 180th Anniversary of Victoria Village ECD, a few days ago.

I know I might have to return to this but the above is just context for my own long-term observation: Afro-Guyanese (youth) must be motivated – and assisted – to return to the land in pursuit of large-scale agri-industries. They must be shown why they must join their First People and Indo-Guyanese friends in exploiting virgin productive land. Crave not merely house-lots only!

But they must acquire land by fair, competitive means. I suspect that Mr Trevor Benn of the Lands and Survey Commission is there to “advise”.

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Acquiring and using…

Kaieteur News had to correct the Official Gazette’s mistake about poor Mr Hollingsworth allocation, after rushing to print.

Now apparently government, Opposition nor GAWU could not assist the redundant Wales (WBD) sugar workers to acquire the estate lands. So Stabroek reported, ten days ago, that Dr Chesney’s company – AESL – will process coconuts on those lands. His brand new company already has located overseas markets.

The Mirror’s allegations must be scrutinized. And His Excellency has just reiterated Victoria’s historical status in the pioneering village movement.

So will oil revenues assist Afro-Guyanese return to the land? Stay tuned.

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Lots to ponder…

1. PPP’s Rohee knows what he writes about – rigging and GECOM’s alleged roles.

2. On Polling Day, do you all know what are “tendered ballots?”

3. Dr Hanoman did not get to travel overseas for more medical attention. Who else did not? Who did?

4. What circumstances can cause the March 2 polling date to be postponed?

5. “The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.” So why publish then?

6. The Dot.com young lady advised me sternly: “The house landline is for the house! Call me on my cell!”

’Til next week!

(allanafenty@yahoo.com)