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E-governance tower impasse…Luncheon bemoans “venom” over usage of “small plot of land”

Apr 19, 2013 News

 

 

According to Head of Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, a decision on the erection of a contentious E-governance telecommunication tower on the Plaisance Community Centre ground, East Coast Demerara, has not yet been confirmed, but Government will more than likely use another site given the “venom that has been cultivated about the usage of the small plot of land”.
He added that the rejection advises Government that it might be non-productive in trying to convince the residents that they should relook at their objections.
Luncheon, who was adamant that the tower must be built on the playground, even after objections from residents, yesterday indicated Government’s inclination to relocate the tower to another site. It was he who had said, “Government will not allow this project to be hijacked and to be treated so irresponsibly”.
On March 31, residents of Plaisance began protests against the erection of the tower, citing lack of consultations and possible health risks. Their protest actions were halted when Alexei Ramotar, Project Manager of the E-governance Unit, said Government would find an alternative location for the tower. And, Chinese contracting firm, Huawei, in collaboration with local subcontractors, had temporarily halted works.
In fact, the declaration by Dr. Luncheon had dismissed earlier assurance by the Project Manager that Government would find an alternative site. And residents vowed to stand their ground.
Though, he did not reveal the alternative site, Ramotar said that Government was eyeing Plaisance’s neighbouring community, Industry, to erect the tower.
According to him, placing the tower in Industry will see an increase in the cost of the project – a development that was not anticipated. He said that the E-governance Unit will now have to run the fibre optic cable from Industry to the Sparendaam Police Station. That cost could have been avoided, he said, because the Police Station is in proximity to the Plaisance Community Centre.
In addition, rental will have to be paid to the Guyana Power and Light Inc. for running the cable along the utility poles.
Ramotar also explained that having the tower in Industry would not fully satisfy its purpose, because the signal will not be strong in Plaisance. He pointed out that the community of Industry will be serviced by the telecommunication tower erected in the University of Guyana’s compound.

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