PM defends hiring of GINA head… NCN to write off $220M losses, staff “rationalisation” to begin

August 26, 2015 | By KNews | Filed Under News, Source

The National Communications Network (NCN) has racked up over $600M in debts with almost $220M likely to be written off.

These disclosures were made Monday night by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who also said that roughly $13M was owed by the former ruling party, People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Nagamootoo was at time answering questions over monies allocated to NCN and the Government Information Agency (GINA).

He disclosed that despite slashing the budget of NCN and GINA last year, the previous administration had still insisted on releasing some $6.8M monthly to pay staffers among other things.

The two agencies have been accused by the coalition government, while they were in opposition, of being heavily biased and badly mismanaged. They had vowed widespread changes if elected.

GINA’s head, Neaz Subhan, had resigned following the elections.

On Monday, the PM confirmed that Beverly Alert, a public relations official who worked with the Alliance For Change (AFC), has been named as head of GINA with her salary, $367,500.

Nagamootoo insisted that Alert is a professional media person whom he knew back from the days of the Ministry of Information. “She was no party hack,” he told the Opposition.

As a matter of fact, work is continuing to make both media outfits professional with “rationalisation” of the staff complement expected.
This is to ensure that the staffers operate optimally.

The disclosure that a number of staffers may be laid off immediately sparked questions from former Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali, who said that rationalisation is a wide concept. He wanted details of how the new GINA head was hired.

According to the PM, former Minister Kellawan Lall was hired in a key position to oversee public information by the former Government. He was receiving $500,000 monthly. He has been rationalised.

Prodded further, Nagamootoo said that the Government was not interested in political leanings but rather professionals. He made reference to Omar Shariff, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency and the Office of the Prime Minister.

Shariff, he reminded, was a candidate of the PPP/C in the last elections. He has been retained as the Permanent Secretary, a position he held in the last Government.

The Opposition, however, insisted that Nagamootoo is inserting himself politically at the media entities and is setting a dangerous precedent.

Questioned also about the number of vehicles he has available, Nagamootoo disclosed he inherited nine vehicles from the Office of the Prime Minister.

During the considerations of the monies allocated for the Office of the Prime, the National Assembly on Monday approved $375M with $267M for current expenditure, and the rest earmarked for capital projects.

There were allocations for Lethem Power and Light Inc – $70M, Mahdia Power and Light- $10M and Port Kaituma-$10M.
Under the previous administration, GINA and NCN

were receiving budget assistance from the Office of the President. Public information has now been placed under the Prime Minister’s office.

For the period January 1 to August 31, 2015, under the Office of the President, GINA received $80.4M while NCN some $69.5M. Under the Office of the Prime Minister, GINA will receive $63.9M as funding for the remainder of the year (September to December.) The information agency will also receive another $4.3M as capital allocation for the purchase of equipment such as cameras and accessories.

Meanwhile, NCN will receive $27.2M for staff maintenance and another $50M for the rehabilitation of communication towers at New Amsterdam, the provision of an access road at Onderneeming, the provision for flood alleviation measures at radio and television stations in Georgetown, the provision for a communication tower and paved driveway in Linden, broadcast equipment, lighting kits, UPS, radio automation systems and security lights.