-denies NCN, GINA subventions
– $1 each approved for the two entities
THE opposition parliamentary majority yesterday voted against  subventions for the Government Information Agency (GINA), and the National Communications Network (NCN), approving an amount to the total of $1 each for the two entities. This move, which will see over 38 taxpayers (from GINA alone) being out of  jobs, was supported in its entirety on the grounds that the two entities have remained biased in their reporting which has not been in the interest of all Guyanese.
The Amendment to the motion which was put forth by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Carl Greenidge, proposed that the subvention of $81,772 towards NCN and $130,398 to GINA be reduced, differs from an amendment which was circulated on April 23, which proposed a cut to the projected allocation.
Subsequently, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, in a comment, condemned the irresponsible actions taken by the Opposition that flies in the face of any shred of commitment to public access to information.
He said that an agency such as GINA is not an unusual feature of countries of the world and asserted that, “in an era where one speaks to access to information and citizens’ empowerment by ensuring an informed citizenry, particularly on the work of government, the existence and adequate resources of an agency such as GINA is absolutely critical.”
He added that the opposition’s move to vote against the subvention for GINA is inconsistent with the actions of any party interested in citizens’ access to information as it relates to government’s activities.
With regard to NCN, the minister said that there is no comparable station when it comes to production of the level of the high-quality domestic documentaries and this move to take away its subvention, impairs the operations of this very important public-interest entity.
As regards  the next step, the Administration maintains the view that the task of compiling and disseminating government information will continue and steps will be taken to ensure that this is done.
Meanwhile, 38 staff from GINA and their families are now on the breadline, as the opposition failed to recognise the human face and the implications of this disastrous decision.