House awaits details on Government/TVG contract for learning channel

Jul 29, 2013 News

By Abena Rockcliffe

It has been over a month since questions were posed to the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand on the agreement/ contract between the government and Television Guyana INC. (TVG). But, Alliance For Change (AFC)’s Catherine Hughes is still awaiting the answers.
The questions have been repeatedly appearing on the order paper of the National Assembly for a written response.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand

The AFC Member of Parliament had asked Manickchand to provide copies of the contract between the government of Guyana and television Guyana Inc for the use of TVG’s teleport/transmission facilities to broadcast the learning Channel. It was also requested that the duration of the contract/agreement be made known as to whether it is renewed monthly, yearly or if it’s an indefinite contract.
Hughes asked, as well, that the Minister state when the tender for the provision of this service was advertised and in which media.
Further, it was asked how much money has been paid over to the TVG to date for the provision of these services.
Hughes said that her questions were posed as a result of her not knowing of any advertisements for the contracts. She said that it is also a part of the campaign to have a level playing field for media in Guyana.
The Member of Parliament stressed too that “these are things that I need to know and the Public needs to know as well.
Hughes, who has worked in the media, said that as a member of the AFC, she zeros in on broadcasting. She said that it would be good days when one can say candidly say that all is fair in Broadcasting in Guyana.
The AFC executive member informed Kaieteur News that Minister Manickchand informally told her that she is working on getting the information. According to Hughes, the Minister told her that the information had been gathered but some of this information was inadequate and needed correction.
Hughes said that she hopes the answers will be available by the next sitting of the National Assembly.
Another question that was posed is if the Learning Channel possesses its own satellite receivers/ dishes; from whom were they purchased and at what cost. Copies of such purchase agreements were also requested.