More community radio stations to be established
GINA, GUYANA, August 23, 2016
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock said that radio stations will be established in areas such as Aishalton, Region Nine; Moruca, Region One; and Orealla Region Six.
The Minister made this announcement on Monday at the opening of the 10th annual National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference which saw 212 Indigenous leaders participating, at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC).
Communication is a necessary and essential tool, Minister Allicock said, as he noted the importance of bridging the gap between the coastland, and the hinterland through Information Communication Technology (ICT).
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock during his address at the opening of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC)
“For us in Guyana, we’ve known that there is a division in terms of the coastal area where the majority of the population resides, and the hinterland. Sometimes you travel to the hinterland, and it’s like you are in a different country. This is why the Government is ensuring that we have connections across this country, because we believe that if we have communication, we have access to information, and if you have information you have knowledge and knowledge is power,” Minister Allicock explained.
The Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister noted that this project is just the beginning of a larger programme to ensure that communities across the country, even the most remote ones, are connected with the rest of Guyana through communication.
Once the funding is made available, the project will be rolled out in stages, Minister Allicock assured.
Community radio stations were established in the newly named towns of Lethem in Region Nine and Mabaruma in Region One this year. These two are in addition to Radio Paiwomak which was the first community radio established in the early 2000.
The aim of the government’s community radio stations project which is implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister is to link the indigenous communities through communication. The established radio stations are all affiliates of the National Communications Network (NCN) and are broadcasting on the national frequency.