Dr Luncheon says E-governance project will not be hijacked

Government will not allow its e-governance project to be hijacked. This was the sentiment expressed by Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon, who was at the time addressing the media during a post-Cabinet press briefing last Friday about a protest that was staged by residents of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara on Tuesday (April 2).
He said Cabinet deems the recent protest staged by residents of the community as “incredible”. Residents have caused the construction of a tower to come to a halt due to their protest action. However, the tower is being constructed to launch an e-governance project to provide Information Communication Technology (ICT) services to Guyanese.
Cabinet has contended that ICT is a fundamental area that could make important contributions towards development in Guyana, especially with an allocation of Gy$1.4 billion in this year’s national budget.
“The E-governance Project sees Guyanese being provided with connectivity through the existing networks and also the most recent Guyana design, using the cable from Brazil passing through Linden and ending in Castellani House lawns in Georgetown,” Dr Luncheon stated.
A coastal component would link Moleson Creek in Region Six with Charity in Region Two. According to Dr Luncheon, some 55 towers are expected to be erected in Regions Two, Three, Four, Six, Nine and 10. The head of the presidential secretariat said government is surprised by the move since the site identified for the construction of the tower, would have allowed Region Four to be the first to benefit from the project.
He said, “Plaisance was no different from the other sites. The Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) chairman has in his possession the element e-gov correspondence and we have been advised at successive statutory meetings at the NDC in February and March, information was provided to councillors and therefore the community.” Dr Luncheon questioned the reason for the residents’ protest.
The real issue as far as Cabinet is concerned, is the implications and the impact of the terrible misguided action. He stated that Cabinet will not allow the roll out to be affected by this move.
Several residents of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara on Tuesday, April 2, protested the installation of a tower on the playfield in the community. Residents expressed dissatisfaction with the move by government to erect the tower, without seeking their views on the issue. They described the move as unfair and have stressed that if the tower is erected, their only place of recreation will be taken away.