Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has committed to providing support for the upgrading of Radio Paiwomak, the first hinterland community radio station in Guyana, which is based at Bina Hill, Annai.
According to a press release from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Nagamootoo recently toured Radio Paiwomak’s studio and observed broken windows, a rotting and leaking roof, a lack of suitable chairs and furnishings for the announcers and unsuitable conditions for the storage of equipment.
According to the release, the Prime Minister immediately arranged a meeting between Radio Paiwomak’s Coordinator, Virgil Harding and the Director of Public Information, Imran Khan to document the station’s needs and to provide immediate support to upgrade the facilities.
Additionally, the release stated that Nagamootoo instructed that plans be put in place to conduct a training programme for persons in the North Rupununi interested in radio broadcasting.
Harding voiced the need to add another 50 feet to the 100-ft transmission tower and for directional antennas to allow the radio signal to reach as far as Fairview along the Essequibo River. The release said that the PM gave a commitment to consider the request. He added that a structure for better compensation for the Radio Paiwomak administrator and announcers will be pursued as part of the next budget cycle.
During the visit, the Prime Minister and his delegation which included Vice President and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, also met with the executives of the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) to listen to issues of concern, the release stated.
The NRDDB is made up of 18 villages and 3 satellite communities.
The release added that Nagamootoo presented a Certificate of Recognition to the NRDDB for their work in the social and economic upliftment of the North Rupununi. He also presented a similar certificate to the Annai Secondary School for winning the inaugural LCDS- Climate Change National Quiz Competition. He further presented solar LED lights to children from the communities to assist them in reading and preparing for classes and examinations.
