THREE rounds of debates leading up to the May 11 General and Regional Elections have been proposed by the National Communications Network (NCN), and the political Opposition is expected to confirm their participation by tomorrow (Monday).
Managing Director of the Network, Mrs. Molly Hassan, confirmed in an invited comment yesterday that the invitation addressed to retired Brigadier David Granger was delivered on Thursday.
“We have requested that, at a minimum, two persons be nominated to participate (in each round of debates). Each speaker will be given equal time to present, and members of the public will also have a chance to ask questions,” Mrs Hassan disclosed.
She said the first round of debates is scheduled to begin in the new month. “There are three locations for the first round of debates. The first is at Tain Campus, Port Mourant; Theatre Guild in Georgetown, and the Linden Concert Hall,” she said.
Asked about the topics, Hassan said the issues recommended for discussion range from the state and future of the sugar industry to national security.
It is expected that, on April 1, the future of the sugar industry will be debated at the Tain Campus; and on April 8, political representatives will debate national security at the Theatre Guild. The last debate in round one is set for the Linden Concert Hall, where issues pertinent to the bauxite industry would be addressed.
Relative to the issues up for debate in round two, Mrs. Hassan explained that Mr. Granger has been invited to make recommendations.
The logistics of round three are still to be fine-tuned.
Additionally, NCN is expected to begin airing a new programme, ‘News in Conversation’, which is a 30-minute programme.
“It will be an opportunity for politicians on both sides to address topical issues, the day’s news, and share their views,” Mrs Hassan said.
‘News in Conversation’ is scheduled to be aired five days a week, and popular television personality Ms. Wanita Huburn is the programme’s producer.
“Ms. Huburn has been in contact with Mr. Imran Khan, Chief Communications Office for the APNU+AFC coalition (A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change), and GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission), as well as the PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/Civic),” she explained.
The first group of speakers to be engaged on ‘News in Conversation’ is to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, representatives from the two major political parties, PPP/C and APNU+AFC, have indicated their willingness to engage each other in public debates.
By Vanessa Narine
