By Alva Solomon

THE National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU), in its quest to make the differently-abled information and communication technology (ICT) savvy, has chosen the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre to pilot the initiative.

This was one of several areas of focus identified by NFMU Managing Director, Valmikki Singh when the telecommunications and broadcasting body celebrated its 25th anniversary with a dinner at the Marriot Hotel in Kingston on Sunday evening.
In 2007, Guyana signed on to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and ratified the treaty in 2013.
It is cognisance of the foregoing commitment, as well as in keeping with the thrust of the world’s ambitious Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Singh said, that the NFMU has been examining how best it can connect ICT with the differently-abled.
The rationale behind this line of thinking, he said, is that given that ICT is a developmental tool, it can be of help to those members of society who are differently abled, or who may not be properly represented.

IN DISCUSSION
Discussions have already begun with the Ptolomey Reid Rehabilitation Centre, and together they have been discussing ways in which ICT applications can be best used to assist persons there.
The participation of females in the ICT sector was also taken into account as an important aspect of the NFMU’s programme of activities.
Noting that as far back as 2010, it was recognised that females were “unrepresented in the field,” Singh said this does not only hold true for Guyana alone, but the world at large.
“In Guyana,” he said, “we do not have many females in the sector; and like everything else, women want to be equal.”
Some four years ago, he said, the NFMU started collaborating with its partners as well as private entities on providing opportunities in the sector for females.
Among other activities being undertaken by the body are consultations on the transition from analog to digital television broadcasting.
NFMU has also been maintaining its collaborations with bodies such as the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and other public agencies.

‘BIG-BROTHER’
Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), Leonard Craig, in brief remarks, congratulated the NFMU on its anniversary. He said the body is “the big brother” of broadcasting in Guyana, and has set the stage for the development and enhancement of the sector.
Meanwhile, NFMU’s head has identified the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector as being essential to the future. “It is somewhere in the future. Most of us are hoping it’s sooner rather than later,” Singh said, adding that it will be to the benefit of everyone.
Should this occur, he said, a new regulatory agency will be formed, and take over the functions of the NFMU.
The efforts made by long-serving staff members and their contributions to the organisation were also highlighted on Sunday night.
Special awards were presented to these employees, and among those who were rewarded for their years of service were librarian, Audrey Francis, who has served the agency for 22 out of the 25 years it has been in existence.
The NFMU was established in 1990.