Ramotar steps down as PPP General Secretary, Rohee takes over

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:01 by GxMedia

President Donald Ramotar Monday afternoon announced that he has stepped down as General Secretary to give greater attention as leader of the country.

“The task of managing the party had become extremely overwhelming in many, many cases and it has caused me not to be able to give all the attention and all that I wanted to give to the party to ensure that it remains strong and vibrant and ready to take on any challenges that would be ahead of us in the future whether near or distant,” he told a news conference after the PPP’s first Central Committee after its 30th Congress earlier this month.

Ramotar said he nominated Clement Rohee as the new General Secretary. Rohee was subsequently elected unanimously. Ramotar, who became the third General Secretary following the death of Dr. Cheddi Jagan in 1997 said the priority was ensuriung a stronger focus on party work. The Guyanese leader is a member of each standing committee of the PPP’s Central Committee.

“I have every confidence that Clement Rohee will do a good job in fulfilling the duties as the General Secretary of the party…I have every confidence that the position of General Secretary is in extremely capable hands,” said Ramotar.

In light of the demands of the security sector, Rohee did not rule out stepping down as Home Affairs Minister in the future.”Not in the immediate future,” he said. Rohee conceded that his work would be difficult in ensuring that the PPP remained connected with all classes and strata. “This is a huge responsibility and will not be an easy task and will work with the other Central Committee members for the party remains the premier political force and remains committed to being connected to ordinary people, working class, intellectuals and patriotic private sector.

Monday’s meeting also saw the election of a new Executive Committee of full and candidate members. Full members are Ramotar, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Gail Teixeira, Rohee, Zulficar Mustapha, Ali Baksh, Bharrat Jagdeo, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, Irfaan Ali, Navin Chandarpal, Komal Chand, Robert Persaud, Dr.Frank Anthony, Clinton Collymore, Pauline Sukhai and Kellawan Lall.

The candidate members are Shyam Nokta, Neil Kumar and Dharamkumar Seeraj.