Dear Editor,
We can now breathe some fresh air that finally the long-awaited telecommunications reform amendment bill was passed in the National Assembly the night before last, after being piloted through the House by Minister Cathy Hughes. This is a step in the right direction. It will finally break the monopoly of GT&T, and there will be competition. All those who have struggled consistently for the liberalization of the telecommunications sector must certainly now feel a great sense of satisfaction.
After one year the new government has already made some important advances. We have noted the vigour with which Minister Hughes has been moving to resolve disputes and address complaints from consumers as these relate to the poor service provided over the past 30 years. The charges we are paying for our telephone and internet service have been unacceptably high considering the poor service; it has milked us of much of our resources. This is a classical trap whereby the more we paid the less service we received. Editor, I am one of the persons who wrote letters to Stabroek News constantly criticizing and condemning the poor service and calling for the liberalization of the sector. I am happy that this new government has seen the wisdom of taking a dispassionate look at this issue and of having the bill passed in parliament. Let me say that I am not against private enterprise. Guyana welcomes private, local and foreign investment, as well as any private initiative which will bring benefit to the country and its people in creating jobs, improving skills and advancing both the people and the country’s welfare. The PPP will oppose everything this government does; they had 23 years to fix these problems, but they failed miserably. We have waited for too long for the passing of this bill, so why should it go to the select committee for correction of any deficiencies? The government has moved in the right direction.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan
