The battle for control of a television station

Apr 10, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
It is instructive that the persons who are involved in the furore over who should be in charge of the television station in Linden were in 2012 busy trying to put systems in place to undermine the people’s struggle. The return of the television, which was gifted to the people by the Greens Construction Company, is today being used by some as opportunity to flex political muscles rather than seeing to it that measures are put in place to address issues pertaining to enhancing the bread and butter wellbeing of Linden/Region 10 citizens.
As President Granger speaks about identifying flag for each region, the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has not raised its voice or provided any evidence that it is prepared to have Central Government respect the 2012 Agreement in totality. Citizens must take note of what is going on. The responsibility for the establishment of the Economic Committee to develop an Economic Plan, the Technical Committee to look at energy supply, and the Land Selection Committee falls within the remit of the present Council.
In 2012 the then Council recognised under the law that a television licence could not be issued to the RDC, and moreso the television never belonged to the RDC. The whole idea of the television being given to the people by Greens Construction was conceived and realised through the discussions of Morris Drakes (representative of the Guyana Bauxite Supervisors Union/Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union), Linden Smith (representative of the Guyana Mines Workers Union) and Haslyn Parris (CEO, GUYMINE), all of whom are deceased.
This television dish did not drop from the air. It was after MINPROC was given the contract to manage the local bauxite company the dish and transmitter were transferred to the RDC. The PPP/C government took away this responsibility from the RDC. Further, in addition to the PPP/C’s obsession to control every space and information the people receive, the television was used to abuse and denigrate the citizens of the region.
Citizens must ask themselves if they will want to return to that stage where the station is used against them. They must ask themselves if the government changes tomorrow and the dish ends up in the hands of a PPP/C controlled central government what the likely consequences are.
Establishing the Trust and putting the licence in the hands of the Trust is to guarantee citizens ownership and control of this asset, and moreso it works in the interest of the people and the region, and not to be used as a political footfall by a few who want to flex their muscles.
Citizens of Linden/Region 10 must hold the present leaders’ feet to the fire to make sure that all the other elements of the 2012 Agreement are being executed. Let it be known, the achievement of having the Trust established and the licence being considered were continuous acts of Sharman Solomon, in and out of office. Not one cent for the establishment of the Trust and pursuing the acquisition of the license came from the RDC. That support came from the trade union, church and other individuals and organisations.
The people of Linden/Region 10 are called on not to be caught up in the political self- serving pursuit of a few. Nobody can predict the 2020 General and Regional Elections results and citizens must put themselves in a position from now that whichever way it goes their wellbeing is secured/protected.
The Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority is reminded that it is not within his remit to make pronouncement on the composition of the Trust. The board’s place is to operate within the parameters of the laws within which the licence will be issued, and the composition of the Trust is not among that. It is also unfortunate that the Prime Minister is allowing his name and that of his office to be sullied in an issue that he had campaigned to make right.
The people of Linden/Region 10 are pioneers and of a pioneering spirit. They must not allow persons to ride on their backs. They have cast their ballots which have seen the election of the present corps to office. These leaders must be held to account to ensure the 21st August 2012 Agreement is brought to fruition, which was written and signed with the blood of Ron Somerset, Allan Lewis, Shemroy Boyeau and others.
Lincoln Lewis

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The battle for control of a television station

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