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Digicel has never retained the services of Mr.Khemraj Ramjattan

Sep 19, 2014 Letters

Dear Editor,
Over the past few weeks, there has been ongoing discussion in the press on pertinent issues relating to the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector in Guyana and on the continued deliberation of the draft legislation in Parliament.  In particular, matters relating to claims of telecommunications licences having being granted to persons other than Digicel and GT&T have occupied much space in the Kaieteur News.  Digicel is heartened to see that the liberalisation of telecommunications in Guyana has resonated with relevance on the Guyanese public, although sometimes amidst half-truths,innuendos and even blatant misrepresentations of the truth.
In an article published on September 18, 2014 titled “GT&T Telecommunications Licence Prohibit Others – Dr. Mahadeo” the author appears to relate parts of an interview which had been previously conducted with Mr. Yog Mahadeo, former CEO of GT&T.   The article quotes Mr. Mahadeo as saying that, he is not aware of any company other than Digicel and G&T being granted a telecommunications licence in Guyana.
The quotation continues “GT&T’s licence precludes any entity from being granted a telecommunication license except in the mobile arena”.    Although Digicel does not agree with this premise, we rest assured that issues relating to the scope of GT&T’s licence and what it prohibits and does not prohibit are, at present, being properly ventilatedelsewhere.
What causes particular umbrage to us, however, is the not-so-casual suggestion at the closing of the article that the process by which Parliament continues to deliberate on the draft legislation is somehow subject to undue influence by Digicel.  The article represents Mr. Mahadeo as saying that the political parties, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) “both lack the independence to argue and debate telecommunications liberalisation since there is deep conflict of interest”.   With the same tenor, the article goes on to identify AFC members, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan and Member of Parliament, Mr. Trevor Williams as being retained by Digicel and GT&T.
Digicel is not in a position to confirm whether these utterances are, in fact, that of Dr. Mahadeo or the author taking journalistic licence.  Regardless of its source, we categorically deny any suggestion that we have solicited the services of persons who are duty-bound to perform their duties to the public in an impartial manner or to engage in any other acts that would serve to compromise the process by which Parliament considers legislation of such significant import to the development of Guyana.
Although Mr.Trevor Williams was, in fact, an employee of Digicel, he left the employ of the company after he was elected as a Member of Parliament.  Digicel has never retained the services of Mr.Khemraj Ramjattan.
It is no secret that Digicel is an avid proponent for the full liberalisation of the telecommunications sector in Guyana.  We are thrilled by the prospect of burgeoning competition in Guyana and of Guyanese finally being able to enjoy increased access to modern telecommunications services at affordable prices.
We have lobbied publicly and we continue to lobby aggressively for the speedy enactment of the legislation, ensuring that we do our part to educate and to enlighten persons as to the benefits of liberalisation and its significance for the development of the Guyanese economy.   I don’t believe there is a single Guyanese who suffers from the lack of access to and the high cost of broadband and who struggle with slow data speeds who would not welcome the urgent liberalisation of the sector. Digicel expects that with the licensing and regulation of all operators, we can then compete on this level playing field for which we all yearn.   There simply is no other solution that meets the needs of all stakeholders and most importantly the consumers.
Gregory Dean
C.E.O. – U-Mobile (Cellular) Inc

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