“An informed population is an educated population” – PM Nagamootoo
─ Govt committed to ensuring Indigenous Peoples have access to information
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, January 20, 2019
The APNU + AFC Coalition Government remains committed to ensuring the Indigenous peoples of Guyana have access to information.
In his weekly column “My Turn” in the Guyana Chronicle, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo stated that, “an informed population is an educated population.”
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo at Aishalton’s radio station
He said that this has been and continues to be one of the main goals of the Coalition Government, emphasizing “our Indigenous peoples have a right to know.” The Prime Minister visited Aishalton, in the Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo Region (Region 9) on Saturday.
Over the past two years, radio stations in Lethem, Mabaruma, Bartica, Mahdia, Orealla and Aishalton have been commissioned by the Office of the Prime Minister.
“Our APNU+AFC Coalition Government wanted our hinterland or interior regions to know what’s happening in Georgetown and on the rest of the coast,” the Prime Minister underscored.
Prime Minister Nagamootoo reflected on his time as Minister of Information in 1992, when he implemented the production of a monthly magazine, ‘Hinterland Highlights’ which detailed current events happening in the hinterland regions. The Prime Minister further highlighted that the publication was resuscitated under the current administration and is now being produced monthly.
“We insist that our Indigenous peoples must NOT be left out, or left behind in the information, education and technological revolution! This is why, for the first time, several hinterland communities have internet access, and now radio broadcast services.”
The Prime Minister noted that while the establishment of radio stations across country has been criticized by the Opposition in the National Assembly, it is critical for national development.
“Our radio stations provide food for the minds, for the intellects of our hinterland residents… They nourish them with information, education and entertainment, and feed their appetites for relaxation and leisure with diverse cultural programmes,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo emphasized.
Anara Khan
Image: Department of Public Information