THE Region 10 Television Station Incorporated has added nine members to the Trust which will man the operations of the television station. This expansion of the membership was done following a recommendation by the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) to trustees. This recommendation along with others was made at a recent meeting held in Linden with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to iron out controversies that were brewing over management of the station. Chairman of the GNBA, Leonard Craig, reiterated that the Trust is the official, recognised agency of the station and instead of forming a new Trust, it was recommended that it be extended. “The GNBA’s advice to the group was to expand the number of trustees, so we can continue to do business with the same Trust rather than upturn the entire apple cart and start over,” he said. The television station’s Trust was formed by Sharma Solomon during his tenure as Regional Chairman after realising that the law does not allow for a television station to be controlled by an RDC or an individual, but only by a Trust or a company. In so doing, Solomon along with prominent members of the community joined together, thus forming the Trust (Region 10 Broadcasting Inc.). The policy states however that any member of the community to be part owner of the station should be residing in Linden or be owners of persons within the community.
Mr. Craig told media operatives that without the formation of the Trust, the application for an operating licence would not have even been considered. “The Trust adequately represents the intent of the RDC to fulfil that requirement, so we did business with the Trust,” he explained. In addition to extending the Trust, the GNBA also recommended that it consist of the ordinary people of Linden and representatives from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), since the RDC is the entity that initiated the process.
Mr. Craig however said that he is not aware if the members added include anyone from the RDC. Regional Chairman Morian told members of the media that he will continue to rally for councillors of the RDC to be part of the Trust. “Based on the new truths that have emerged, the RDC who is the legal representation of the people, will champion the cause of going forward.” “We want the people of Region 10 to have this television station, hence the elected persons should be part of this entity,” he said.
Mr. Craig also affirmed that those recommendations were made with the interest of the people of Linden at heart. “The people of Linden can be assured that their interest is being taken care of and that the GNBA is very interested in helping to preserve the interest of the people. We have no desire to circumvent anything and we are willing to work with the people.”
Solomon, who is also Secretary of the Trust said that the new members of the board will be revealed on Friday. Even though he is happy with the nine persons who have joined the team, he believes that the recent passing of Haslyn Parris comes as a great loss to the board. Mr. Parris was among the original five members who played a pivotal role in what was accomplished since the formation in 2013. “Haslyn was like the linchpin, he was on the technical committee, economic committee….he was a trusted friend of the region and was involved in so much,” he shared.