| …as PM Nagamootoo labels state of affairs downright criminal “We believe either there has been collusion or a massive recklessness with regard to assets purchased with the tax-payers money”—Nagamootoo Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo wants to await a decision by the Board of Directors at the National Communications Network (NCN) on the way forward regarding the many glaring allegations that would have surfaced in recent weeks.Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ RamroopMore recently there has been the purchase of millions of dollars in satellite uplink facilities that have been lying unused for two years now.Nagamootoo, commenting on the issue, yesterday, said that based on preliminary findings,Andrew Benintendi Red Sox Jersey, it appears that the equipment in stock may in fact be superior to the ones used by TVG 28 to broadcast the signal for The Learning Channel.Government has been paying TVG—a television station owned by Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop—a whopping $3.6M monthly to broadcast The learning Channel, even as its own uplink facilities were never ever brought online.The NCN, equipment according to Nagamootoo, would allow the State-owned television station to have a greater reach in the broadcast of the signal.Nagamootoo told media operatives that the new board which has been installed at NCN and headed by Bish Panday,Carl Yastrzemski Red Sox Jersey, is taking the matter very seriously.He lamented that the equipment was lying at NCN’s compound having never been activated,Nellie Fox White Sox Jersey, while revenues from the people of Guyana were being paid over to a private entity to broadcast the signal for the Ministry of Education.“We believe either there has been collusion or a massive recklessness with regard to assets purchases with the taxpayers’ money…The new board will have to enquire what really happened,Robin Ventura White Sox Jersey,” said Nagamootoo.Asked about the capacity of NCN to utilize the satellite uplink equipment, Nagamootoo said he would need to be advised on the matter before pronouncing definitively.“I am advised that there are two sets of equipment there that have a superior advantage.’Nagamootoo explained that should the two sets of pieces of equipment be utilized, The Learning Channel could then be taken to all parts of Guyana. “There won’t be a part of Guyana that won’t be covered.”According to Nagamootoo, the equipment that has been left to idle and rot, “Was for me a criminal neglect not to be able to service all the areas….Why this has not been done requires a lot of investigation.”Asked to outline Government’s plan for the future operations of NCN and its management, the Prime Minister lamented the physical state of affairs at the entity before expressing a desire to see new energy at the operations.The matter of NCN management, according to Nagamootoo, ought to be addressed by the new Board.He drew reference to the fact that a number of the glaring revelations being made public would have been unearthed as a result of an audit that was ordered.The place,Anthony Rizzo Cubs Jersey, he said,Chicago White Sox Jerseys, “Has been badly managed and it is for the Board to deal with the management, even the CEO (Chief Executive Officer).”Asked if he believed that the entire management of NCN should be changed, Nagamootoo retorted, “I have an opinion that I will not mention here, but if I am asked by the Board I will give an opinion but let the Board decide what it wants to do.”According to the Prime Minister, “I think it (NCN’s Management) needs new energy, that’s what I feel; it needs new energy and it needs new direction.” |
