By Vishani Ragobeer

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has disclosed that discussions have started for the establishment of a 24-hour Guyanese Religious Channel.He made the announcement at a Music Festival of Peace organised by the Universal Peace Federation Guyana Chapter on Saturday. Addressing a gathering in the City Hall Compound, the Prime Minister said he would be meeting next month with members of the Inter-Religious Organisation of Guyana to discuss plans for the “betterment” of all Guyanese.

And these plans, he said, include a 24-hour religious television channel that will feature programmes from all the various local religious persuasions. According to Nagamootoo, he has already spoken to the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority, and has begun negotiations for the establishment of this new television channel.

The Prime Minister is of the view that a channel of this nature would be ideal in promoting peace among Guyanese. “In Guyana, there is no war,” he said, but pointed out that “our injuries are self-inflicted… (they are) caused by divisive politics.”

He also contended that “greed” is another major contributing factor hindering peace in Guyana and the world at large. And on that note, he made reference to Venezuela’s claim to 5/8 of Guyana’s territory, even though Guyana has maintained good relations with that neighbouring country.

“It is greed that is leading to the confrontation…to the conflict,” he said. The Prime Minister told the gathering, which included members of the political Opposition, thus: “We must not wait until we have wars to resolve problems.” He called on every Guyanese to stand up and fight against the “real” problems, which he said are illiteracy, poverty, corruption and lack of transparency.

Several persons with exceptional service to others, and those who have been active promoters of peace, were awarded the title of ‘Peace Ambassadors’ at the festival.

The forum was also addressed by former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Peoples’ Progressive Party/Civic Member of Parliament Bishop Juan Edghill, Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Greene and Universal Peace Federation (Guyana Chapter) Chairman Roshan Khan.