By Jeff Trotman
The Guyana National Broad-casting Authority (GNBA) has acknowledged the application of the proposed Region Ten Broadcasting Inc., but Regional Chairman, Sharma Solomon, is disappointed that GNBA has stated that the requested Channel 13 is no longer available and another frequency can be obtained.
Solomon voiced his disappointment on January 15th during the first monthly statutory meeting for 2015 of the Region Ten council. He told the council that he has prepared two responses to the GNBA’s letter. One is a direct reply to the GNBA letter which was dated 17 December 2014 and the other to President Donald Ramotar, copied to Opposition Leader, David Granger and AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan.
Noting that the letter from the GNBA to the region stated that Region Ten Inc. should submit to GNBA a list of its directors along with the completed application, Solomon said the Region is at that critical point of getting the Region Ten TV station up and running in the shortest possible time.
He said in the reply to GNBA, it has been stressed that the issue is not one between the Region and the National Broadcasting Authority since the acquisition of the TV station is based on an agreement signed between the Region and the central government on 21 August 2012 to end the tariff protests in Linden.
“The agreement specifically stated that in fourteen days the Channel 13 transmitter along with the station and some other things would be handed over,” Solomon told the Council. “They were never handed over. The Region commandeered the facility … broke down the old structure that was there. We are about 95% complete. The building is painted, tiled, toilets have been installed. Electrical fittings should be completed today to complete the building as early as this week.”
He also said the Fire Service has been contacted to clean the TV dish and a guard hut will soon be constructed. He added that persons have already been identified for the five-member board of directors for the Region Ten Broadcasting Inc. and the Region’s Communication Management Committee has to identify two more directors from within the community or civil society to be part of the board.
“We have also been in contact with the consultant, Mr. Tony Vieira, who is giving us technical advice,” Solomon added. “That is where our concern rests. Our technical advice and in principle … the signing of the agreement (meant) that we will have to have our Channel 13 back. We have established a company called Region Ten Broadcasting Inc. We have a board of directors …. We also have a structure in place – a television operating room and dish. We have been in contact with someone who has the resources to install the equipment. We now have to await the licence. This letter dated 17 December is indicating that we now have to submit our directors and that process will move forward. However, we will not be able to get Channel 13. That is where our problem rests.”
In response to the GNBA’s letter, Solomon wrote, “the Region Ten Democratic Council wishes to strongly express its dissatisfaction in the handling of this matter, which attends to the fundamental rights of the people of Region Ten … the protection of freedom of expression enshrined in Article 146 of the Constitution.”
The letter pointed out that it has been more than two years that the RDC and the government signed the August 21 Agreement at which a commitment was given to return to the people of Linden and Region Ten the VHF Channel 13 transmitter, which agreement was also signed by the AFC and APNU.
According to the letter, it is a known fact, acknowledged in the agreement that Channel 13 was originally assigned to Green Construction and subsequently given to the people of Linden and Region Ten and is now in the possession of the Government of Guyana under the management of NCN and should be returned to the people of Linden and Region Ten as agreed in keeping with the August 21 Agreement.
“This agreement said that the dish (and) transmitter was to be transferred to the Region in fourteen days of signing and no later than 4 September 2012. It was agreed that Region Ten would apply for a broadcasting licence and the government would facilitate the granting of such licence.
“The Region has honoured its commitment to the agreement by applying for the licence consistent with the agreed understanding. This would set in place the formality for the return of Channel 13 to the people of Linden and Region Ten.”
Solomon told the Council that the letter to Ramotar states that the issue is “of grave national importance born out of political struggle” and the “matter has political ramification and, therefore, outside of the scope of the … GNBA” whose role in this matter is administrative. The letter urged central government and the parliamentary opposition to take note and correct the continued violation of the agreement,
