GT&T commissions $40M cellular site at Orealla

Oct 02, 2012 News

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Residents of Orealla now have the opportunity to stay connected with the rest of the world. This was made possible when the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T) on Saturday last commissioned a $40M cellular site in the remote Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) community, located some 80 kilometres (50 miles) up the Corentyne River. A simple ceremony to mark the occasion – held significantly on Orealla Heritage Day – was held

near the base of the tower.

In attendance were GT&T’s CEO, Major General (ret.) Joe Singh; Regional Chairman, David Armagon; Vice Chairman, Bhopal Jagroop; Toshao Floyd Edwards; other regional and village council officials; and GT&T’s Public Relations Officials Allison Parker and Nadia De Abreu.

Addressing the gathering, the phone company’s CEO emphasised that they felt “obligated” to be able to present something as special as the tower to the residents of Orealla. He noted that it was “a special day  in many ways” and expressed pride that GT&T is part of history being  created for the villagers as it is the first time they can communicate with family, friends and anyone else they choose to “anywhere in Guyana and the world, using Guyanese technology”.

Singh stated that the construction of the project and serving Guyana is not only about money, but also about providing quality services. The construction and other overheads total over 40 million Guyana dollars (approx. US$200,000). This amount, he admitted, cannot be recouped in a short space of time, but “GT&T is happy to be able to reach out and serve and bring Guyanese closer together”. “By improving communication, the community will be able to grow by getting things done faster, be more resourceful, and being able to operate even more efficiently.”

The CEO pointed out the tremendous benefits to the community that can be derived from the venture, stating that parents can be able to communicate with their children attending schools on the coast at any hour of the day.

Singh noted that Orealla and neighbouring Siparuta (which is about 11 kilometres away) as well as other neighbouring settlements, are mostly agriculture-based communities, and with the improved communication they will be able to access far-flung markets much easier. He urged residents to care the facility.

Regional Chairman David Armogan, who preceded Singh, had mentioned most of what was expressed by the GT&T official. The Regional Chairman was loud in his praise for the company for its commitment and hard work towards “making Guyana and the world smaller”. He opined that it could never be a matter of money that made GT&T choose to invest in the community.

“By setting up the cellular site it makes the work of the Regional administration much easier, in that so much could be done in rapid time.”

Also speaking at the ceremony was Toshao Edwards, who welcomed those in attendance and expressed his appreciation on behalf of the residents for the kind gesture. He stated that “it could not have been a better Heritage Day gift”.

Upon a request from Toshao Edwards, CEO Singh promised to put in a few pieces of Wifi equipment on the tower so as to boost the signal, thus making it easily accessible by residents in Siparuta.

The GT&T boss also promised the residents that as soon as possible his technicians would be working to improve the facilities significantly so that they could be able to access signal on their laptops, surf the internet, and make internet calls.  Residents can, however, access the internet by using their GT&T smart phones.

Popular vocalist Andy Peneux entertained the gathering with a few of his pieces including the popular ‘Heritage Fever Anomatap’ song. There were also songs and dances by children of the Orealla dance group.

There were also remarks by Council member of Siparuta, Hilary Wong, while resident Ingrid Devair gave a thank you and appreciation to GT&T for “Re-Guyanising Orealla”. The activity was chaired by GT&T’s Public Relations Officer, Allison Parker

Orealla, home mostly to the Arawak tribe of Amerindians, is accessible by trail from various directions, but is some 33 miles from Crabwood Creek – a one and a half hour drive by speedboat and a much longer time by launch.

Before Saturday’s historic launching, residents in Orealla and other surrounding communities accessed signals from Suriname at tremendous cost. These facilities are, however, not reliable.

The tower which is some 76 metres (250-ft) high is located on a mountain, another 20 metres (65 ft) from the flat plain. The facility feeds from a tower which is situated at Crabwood Creek another 48 kilometres (30 miles) away.

Orealla is one of the few Amerindian communities that have successfully had the boundaries of its reservation demarcated.

 

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