President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday met with cable operators and applicants for land titles, in two separate meetings held at the International Conference Centre, to explain government’s position on matters related to them.

Speaking to media operatives before the meeting, Jagdeo explained that the meeting with the cable operators was to follow up issues he had raised on a previous occasion when they had met.  According to him, at this meeting which took place a few years ago, he allowed them to continue operating although they were, in fact, doing so illegally. According to him, he made it clear that he hoped that the “absence of regulatory action, would not create the expectation that they would be automatically be issued a licence whenever the sector got regularized.  The President said he had also placed some restrictions on them telling them they had to work out proper contracts with the Guyana Power and Light for the use of their posts.

Jagdeo said he was meeting to see how this had been going and he said that he is inclined to let these operators continue because he realizes that they offer a useful service, particularly to those living in rural areas.  The President, however, said he wanted to make it clear that when the sector becomes regularized, that the current operators would not be given automatic licences.

Meanwhile, the President said that he currently does not see the need for any new television station, particularly with the absence of broadcast legislation. The only new station he would consider starting is a 24-hour educational one for the entire country. This station would air educational content with programmes with a focus on Maths, Sciences, English, and shows such as National Geographic etc.

Meanwhile, the President also met with several groups from various areas who have applied for land. He said that during his cabinet outreaches he has realized that this is a problem. ““I was a bit concerned at one stage, that this seems to be like an attempt to get a lot of land and hold it,” he said. “And I want people who are productively using land, so, I want to meet with these groups to ensure that they are actually using the land for development purposes,” he added.

“We want to make sure that they know that if they don’t move forward with the projects, then they run the risk of having the land repossessed,” he said. He added that many persons take advantage of the country’s “weak” legislation to take hold of government’s property.

Meanwhile, he said that in Lethem, there is a huge demand there for land in the community and surrounding areas. “The persons who live there would be given first preference,“ Jagdeo explained followed by those Guyanese businesses who want to expand operations and sell into Brazil in addition to persons who want to establish services like a transport depot and hotel services. After this, people who want to import, build their warehouses there and then re-export to Brazil will be given land, the President explained.