Georgetown : Paiwomak, the only indigenous radio station in Guyana is set to celebrate its 15th anniversary come September 19th, 2015. Radio Paiwomak is the only station that broadcast in the Amerindian dialect,
President David Granger in an invited comment, disclosed that the government is looking to improve the quality of communication throughout the hinterland community. He stated that, “Government knows the importance of that radio (Paiwomak) but wants to make sure that the national radio gets down to all communities.”
His Excellency also disclosed that government has plans to place more radio transmitters and possibly more stations so that all citizens have equal access to the media.
Also speaking on the topic was Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, who described Radio Paiwomak as, “A wonderful bridge between the communication systems in Guyana.” The minister pointed out that there will always be a need for radio Paiwomak as communication is necessary for all indigenous people. He referred to programs to help students and also residents learn about current affairs.
Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Communities Ms. Dawn Hastings-Williams, recalled her last visit to the area. “On our last visit to Region Nine, they were doing a very good job in terms of educating the young children by telling stories,” she said, adding that it was a very good venture that should be improved by training young people in journalism, since there is only one broadcaster.
She further noted that the station lacked some modern technical equipment that would be needed to improve their transmission to Region Nine and Guyana as a whole.
The name Paiwomak was drawn from the names of three mountain ranges that dominate the North Rupununi, Region Nine: Pakaraima, Iwokrama and Makarapan. The station was established on September 19th on the 97.1 FM.
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