Government hopes to conclude negotiations with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) to liberalise the telecommunications sector and pass laws in this regard later this year.
“Mr Speaker, the government will conclude negotiations with ATN and GTT, with a view of bringing to an end GTT’s claim to a monopoly over international voice and data transmissions and domestic wireline service,” Minister of Finance Winston Jordan told the National Assembly during his budget presentation yesterday. He said that draft legislation – Bills, Regulations, and Model Licences – have already been developed that will inform and govern a liberalised telecommunications regime.
“The Government is committed to having these Bills tabled and passed this year,” he declared.
Liberalisation of this sector had been promised within 100 days of APNU+AFC taking office, according to its manifesto. Prior to APNU+AFC taking office, the PPP/C government had also promised an end to the GTT monopoly and liberalisation. Promises were made over a 10-year period to no avail.
Meanwhile, the minister said that government is dedicated to investing in information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and related services, to ensure knowledge-driven government and industries. He recalled that last year, $2.5 billion was invested in the ICT sector.
“This year, we propose investing, through the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), about $3.1 billion for the ICT Access and E-Services for Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities Project. The project will provide infrastructure, equipment, hardware and software, so as to enable access to quality ICT, training and e-services, including distance learning, with particular focus on our vulnerable groups. It will ensure the development of a digital knowledge-based society, enhance national efficiency and competitiveness, and promote sustainable growth and development,” Jordan asserted.
He said that government has also allocated an initial $25 million for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT). The Centre forms the basis for the requisite education of ICT professionals and knowledge workers in the public sector and partner agencies, he said.
“Additionally, the e-government initiative will improve the efficiency and transparency of governance in Guyana, by using ICT to facilitate better communication and data sharing among agencies, and to achieve seamless service delivery to all stakeholders for any service across government agencies,” he asserted.
Jordan also stated that provision has been made for the upgrade of the software used by government agencies; modernising and digitising the operations of the companies, land and civil registries. “Also, the Integrated Crime Information System (ICIS) will be expanded to divisions and subdivisions of the Guyana Police Force. These are all necessary foundation elements in the drive to deliver on the commitment of a single window to “One Government” by 2020,” he said.
“Mr Speaker, as part of creating the enabling environment for full electronic commerce and electronic government, we will table legislation governing electronic transactions and digital signatures, utilising comprehensive model laws already developed for our region. In keeping with our philosophy of accountable government, and with due regard to the risks associated with automation, we will also table privacy and data protection legislation that will bind both government and private sector operators, who hold sensitive personal data, to the same standards of care,” Jordan declared.
