Georgetown: Government’s discussion with Atlantic Telecommunications Network the parent company of Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) on de-monopolisation and the de-liberalisation of the telecoms sector has been very fruitful, and though further deliberations are expected, the hope is that Government will sooner than later be returning to the House for discussion on the Government tabled bills. This is according to Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon.
The Telecommunication Amendment Bill and the Public Utility Amendment Bill were put on hold to facilitate the discussion with ATN-GTT.
Over the first two quarters of 2013, Government has been in discussion with ATN-GTT to arrive at an agreement on the de-monopolisation and the de-liberalisation of the telecoms sector. The goal is to arrive at consensus to put in place a rule-based, licence- based operation in the telecoms sector and replace the 1990 agreement that privatised the Guyana Telecommunications Corporation.
“The encounters by the two sides have been fruitful in sharing the mutual concerns of both parties. I think it could be safe to say there is a fuller understanding at this stage of how far either party is willing to go in working towards an agreement on the way forward,” Dr. Luncheon said.
He said that ATN-GTT and Government have both produced documents outlining their demands. ATN-GTT provided its menu to the Government and Government has given a response and further deliberation is expected in the context of the two documents, the Cabinet Secretary said.
Meanwhile the Government drafted and tabled legislation; Telecommunication Amendment Bill and the Public Utility Amendment Bill, and Private Members Bill by the Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC) have been put on hold in Parliament as the House has understandably allowed the Government and ATN-GTT to conduct these negotiations without having the bills being debated simultaneously.
Dr. Luncheon said that Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who tabled the Government Bills, has indicated a date that ‘sooner rather than later’ that Government will be returning to the House to engage it on the Government tabled bills and legislation.
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