NCN clears air about Merundoi settlement

Jun 09, 2016 News

-wants to engage other companies on outstanding debts

The National Communications Network (NCN) has broken its silence in relation to the out-of-court settlement reached with Merundoi Inc., concerning a debt to the state-owned media house. Merundoi is a not-for-profit non-governmental organization, NCN said in a statement. It is headed by Margaret Lawrence.
“It specializes in behaviour change communication with the aim of strengthening communities, vulnerable groups and young adults. The organisation was established in 2006 under a five-year PEPFAR programme. It continued its work as an NGO through local and international sponsorships, partnerships and projects.”
Merundoi had approached NCN around March 2012 with a written proposal to make available the production content of Merundoi for NCN broadcasting, with Merundoi paying 50% of the normal broadcast charges and NCN absorbing the remaining 50%.
Meroundoi’s proposal in 2012 was welcoming NCN to partner with the NGO to reach audiences across Guyana in an effort to tackle gender based violence and other social issues.
NCN did not respond favourably or otherwise to the proposal but collected the 50% broadcast fees and aired the programme. In 2014, NCN instituted court proceedings against Merundoi for the 50% of broadcast charges, and the matter engaged the court.
On April 4, 2016, Merundoi made a proposal to pay $250,000, and agreed to allow NCN access to two previous seasons of programme content of “Merundoi” Radio Serial Drama (over 500 x 15 min episodes) and also to collaborate with NCN to produce a TV Sitcom “Cheap and Sweet”, the pilot of which it had submitted to NCN since 2012.
“At a special meeting on April 7, last, the Board unanimously agreed to accept the offer. Ms. Margaret Lawrence was not part of the meeting. In arriving at the decision, the Board took account of, among other things, the fact that Merundoi is an NGO, it is not-for-profit, and it was willing to make the programme content available to NCN and to collaborate on the production of local TV Sitcom.”
NCN said that reports that the Board’s decision was not unanimous are untrue and erroneous.
“NCN welcomes all those indebted to it to engage us in arriving at settlements for outstanding debts.”
In relation to the auditors’ report that former CEO, Molly Hassan, wrote off millions of dollars of debts by an advertising company, NCN made it clear that she neither had the authority to do so nor did she write off any debt.
“As CEO, Ms. Hassan always acted in accordance with direction of the Board of Directors. In the case referred to, she was asked to enquire whether a debt over three years old and incurred in 2011 was legally enforceable, which she investigated and was advised upon.”
She did not write off the debt. The debt remains but it is statute barred.
“NCN is satisfied that Ms. Hassan always executed her duties with financial rectitude.”
NCN owns radio and television stations across the land but poor management and political interference have been blamed on losses.

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