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By Leonard GildarieAmidst tight security in Berbice yesterday, the ruling People’s Progressive Party, at its 30th Congress, started discussions on plans to improve its fortunes over the next three years, with President Donald Ramotar warning that he is not prepared to relent to an “uncompromising” Opposition. He hinted that the possibilities of snap elections are more than likely.Shifting away from a normal conciliatory tone, Ramotar, the current General Secretary and leader of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), also insisted to delegates and observers that his party continues to stand firm in the principles and beliefs of its founder, Dr. Cheddi Jagan. There have been accusations that the party had strayed away, becoming corrupt and losing some of the values that had made it popular in the 1990s and up to the mid-2000s. Since being sworn in, the President has been publicly expressing his intentions to work with the Opposition. This was not so yesterday. “The time for harsh decisions may be now,” he disclosed. The PPP’s 30th Congress at the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School,Tomas Tatar Red Wings Jersey, to elect new leaders and chart the way forward for the party, comes at a time when the Government and the Opposition have been continuously clashing over several projects,Maurice Richard Canadiens Jersey, the national budget and key legislation.It has led to the blocking of billions in funding for the flagship Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project, the slashing of the national budget for two consecutive years, and gridlock on important legislation, including tighter anti-money laundering measures.Hundreds of delegates from across the country were among the gathering. In a show of strength and unity, former President Bharrat Jagdeo, was at the head table alongside President Ramotar, Dr. Roger Luncheon and Gail Teixeira,Kris Draper Red Wings Jersey, among others. Several diplomatic heads and representatives of the party’s overseas groups from the US, Canada and Trinidad were also in attendance.Yesterday, media operatives were kept on a tight leash and ordered not to take photos of the delegates. They even had to ask to visit the washrooms. They were escorted out as soon as the opening ceremony concluded.The Congress, the highest decision-making forum of the party,Ryan McDonagh Rangers Jersey, would take special significance in light of rumours that the Government is seriously considering heading into early elections with the current situation in Parliament. That situation is the loss of its majority in the National Assembly by one seat to the Opposition following the November 28, 2011 polls.President Ramotar said that the Congress would be making a number of decisions regarding the current political impasse with the Opposition.Battle the forces“There is only one hope here in Guyana and that lies right here in this hall with us. We must continue to battle against the force,Jason Chimera Capitals Jersey,” the Head of State charged the gathering.The attendance at yesterday’s opening was said to be almost 1,500 persons, which is believed to be the largest turnout of its kind for the 63-year-old party.Ramotar said that with significant investments in areas of health, education, infrastructure and other social programmes, the party was not prepared to move away from its mandate of lifting the quality of life for the people of Guyana.He mentioned several major transformative projects like the Berbice Bridge, the Takutu Bridge linking Guyana and Brazil, new roads, hospitals, the Amaila Falls Hydro project, the new stelling in Essequibo and even the new ferries plying the Region Two/Three area,Andre Burakovsky Capitals Jersey, as among the most impacting initiatives that the party has been fulfilling as part of its mandate.With several Region One residents in the gathering, Ramotar also disclosed that there are plans for a new ferry for the Mabaruma/Georgetown route and a new crossing for the Demerara River.He said that soon there will be another entrance to the city from the East Bank of Demerara to ease the traffic woes.Ramotar also listed the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and Ogle Airport as projects that will set Guyana in even more firmer footing.Making his case of why the party has been targeting solid programmes as its mandate to Guyanese, he pointed to the government’s housing drive which since 1992 has allocated over 100,Mario Lemieux Penguins Jersey,000 house lots, empowering the people as a result.Better life“All the sweat and frustration… the efforts that have gone into making these things happen, is for the sole purpose of making a better life for the people of Guyana.”The President also made reference to the pre-1992 era when, he said, teachers were without resources, the medical situation was worrying and there were long lines for basic supplies.“We still have blackouts, but nothing like those days when people used to scream for being in blackouts for two weeks!”Mention was also made of the country’s excellent foreign relations which has improved in leaps and bounds, especially with neighbouring Brazil,Adam Graves Rangers Jersey, Venezuela and Suriname.Earlier,Jonathan Drouin Lightning Jersey, Vishwa Mahadeo, PPP’s faction Chairman in Region Six, noted that the situation in the National Assembly, which has essentially led to a non-functioning Parliament, must be changed.In a plea that acknowledged that the party has lost ground and would need to recover, he urged for control to be taken back.Indra Chandarpal of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO), an arm of the party, also kept up the pressure on the Opposition, describing their blocking of key legislation as unpatriotic.The party, according to Progressive Youth Organisation President Omar Sharif, has revamped its youth arm, which has been under a mandate from Ramotar to take its work to another level.Yesterday, the delegates were scheduled to hear a report from the party’s Central Executive on the reasons for the 2011 poor performance at the polls. Decisions will also be taken today during several workshops on the way forward.Perhaps the most watched part of the event, though, will be the election of new leaders who would make up the 35-member Central Committee. This is expected to take place tomorrow.The Congress yesterday took place a short distance from the birthplace and resting place of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, the party’s founder.