Linden : Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, yesterday, told a packed stakeholder consultation at Watooka House in Linden that the return of television to the region is not a matter that is of any dispute, and reaffirmed the Coalition Government’s commitment to ensure that it is done in the shortest possible time.
Prime Minister explained all systems are in place to ensure that the television station could be handed over to the community within 24 hours and “they could be live on air”. Having responsibility for the Information sector and being cognisant of concerns of some stakeholders, the Prime Minister convened a consultation to address these matters.
He further advised that he has been informed that the National Communications Network (NCN) which currently broadcasts on Channel 13, has written to the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), relinquishing rights to that frequency, thus allowing for the GNBA to assign same to Region 10.
Prime Minister Nagamootoo was joined by Minister within the Ministry of Communities the Honourable Valerie Patterson who is also a Lindener. Participating in the interactive session were Members of Parliament Hon. Jermaine Figueira and Hon. Audwin Rutherford, Regional Chairman Mr. Renis Morian, Vice Chairman Mr. Leroy Adolph, Regional Executive Officer Mr. Gavin Clarke, Linden Municipality Interim Management Committee Chairman Mr. Orin Gordon, President of the Linden Chamber of Commerce Mr. Kevin DeJonge, Chairman of Linden Enterprise Network Klensil Grenville, Bauxite Workers Union representative Mr. Leslie Gonsalves, Prime Minister’s Special Representative in Region 10 Vladimir Glasgow, former Members of Parliament Sandra Adams and Vanessa Kissoon, citizen’s representative Mr. Phillip Bynoe, Chairman of the GNBA Leonard Craig and former Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon who is also a trustee of the Region 10 Broadcasting Trust, among other trustees of Region 10 Broadcasting Trust.
It was agreed by all stakeholders present that they will meet subsequently to discuss their concerns and chart a mutually agreeable way forward allowing for the television station to return to Region 10, as was a campaign promise of the Coalition Government. This having been agreed to by the Region 10 Administration and the former government in 2012 following a period of unrest.
Minister Patterson, speaking prior to the close of the consultation, thanked Prime Minister Nagamootoo for organising the event and for listening to the concerns of the stakeholders. She remarked that the session was successful and was pleased with the civil interaction among all stakeholders. Minister Patterson also expressed optimism that the stakeholders will be able to resolve all matters in short order, once provided with the requisite documentation for review and perusal.
In closing the session, Prime Minister Nagamootoo urged all stakeholders to work towards finding common ground so that the television station can be returned to the community in short order and the matter concluded to the satisfaction of all parties.
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