Guyana Observer News

Elections lies from Jagdeo as he promises 90,000 poor families to get laptops

Friday, 30 July 2010

Sample Image

Government says that it has earmarked US$30M ($6B) over the next three years to equip an estimated 90,000 poor families with laptops as Guyana attempts to harness the potential of extra bandwidth. The announcement, to loud applause, was made by President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday at the launching of the new fibre optic cable of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) at the International Convention Centre, Liliendaal.
According to the Head of State, government had been working on a one-laptop-per-family project.

With the new Suriname/Guyana Submarine Cable System (SG-SCS), this project will now become a reality and government will be engaging the GT&T in talks to ensure this is so, Jagdeo said yesterday. Recognizing that several private sector businesses are now grabbing the opportunity to offer packages with the expected demand rise in computer hardware and other internet-ready equipment, the head of state pointed out that this project is on a much larger scale with the intention that accessibility is paramount.
The President did not rule out support of the government in making the laptops available to poor families.
The introduction of the significantly increased bandwidth will make a huge difference in the lives of Guyanese and Surinamese and with the introduction of another fiber optic cable from Brazil, this country’s capabilities will likely be comparable to the region’s most advanced systems.
Acknowledging that GT&T will not in a short while recover its investments, Jagdeo noted that there must be a collaborative effort to ensure that the potential of the cable is fully realized.
There is a latent demand for better internet services and this requires GT&T and stakeholders to be creative and to work harder to ensure that the investment is returned.
According to the President, there have been questions whether large investments are needed in the country- investments like the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Guyana National Stadium and another major hotel.
He alluded to the Bahamas where although there are 20,000 rooms and 45% occupancy rates, a decision has been taken to build yet another hotel.
The rewards are great for Guyana with bigger bandwidth with the possibilities of third generation technology, broadband access to every home, cheaper bandwidth and better quality calls.
The President noted that the government intends to work with GT&T to ensure that the Brazil fibre optic cable is optimized and has asked the company about its plans. He warned that Guyana has to think big although the cost factor may be another issue.
GT&T was challenged by Jagdeo to ensure it widens its content to ensure that it is fully optimized and looks to the education sector for improvements…not only locally but regionally.
He congratulated GT&T for taking the bold step.
Meanwhile, Michael Prior, Chief Executive Officer of the Atlantic Tele-Network (ATN), the parent company of GT&T, said his entity is more than up to the challenge and willing to take a “leap of faith” in ensuring that the 90,000 families laptop programme becomes a reality.
While acknowledging the challenges for this project, and noting that GT&T is “excited” and “nervous”, the executive pointed out that if the people of Guyana grow, so will GT&T.
*****************************

Add comment

JComments

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]

Our Staff

M.Benschop
Publisher
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

A. Reteymyer - Editor in Chief

Sharda Dasrat - Editor

Our Contact Address

USA OFFICE
4710 Church Avenue,
Brooklyn New York.
Tel: 718-462-2020

GUYANA OFFICE
313 East Street
Georgetown
GUYANA
Tele: 011-592-227-8057
011-592-227-8113
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mission Statement

The Mark Benschop Foundation was officially launched in March 2008 by its founder and chairman Mark Benschop and other concerned Guyanese and well wishers in the United States of America. What started as a small operation geared toward helping those in need has grown so large that they were forced to move their offices to a whole building in East Street where the vast amount of people responding to their generosity could be accommodated.

Foundation Membership Form

Application form for any person applying for membership in The Mark Benschop Foundation.

Please download and print out the membership application form and send completed form to our office nearest to you.

Download Membership form.doc

Don't be left out! Join the Movement of Change for a better Guyana

Do your part to rid Guyana of the racial and backward politics that is slowly taking over the country. Join us in giving hope to the people of Guyana regardless of their ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.

Visitors Counter

You are visitor # 5929805 . Thank you!

Online Radio

Latest News

Contribute to our Website

Anyone wishing to contribute articles or letters to The Guyana Observer News, can email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Are you looking for the best prices in town, Realiable service and door to door pick up and delivery? Then contact Williams Caribbean Shipping today. Mention that you saw this ad on our website and receive a 10% discount!